Primaries Still About Local Elections
In our analysis yesterday, we noted that the Democratic primary was still the preferred option for Mississippians. As of the most recent count, 395,236 voters chose the Democratic primary while 282,145 voted in the Republican primary.
Those numbers represent record highs for the Republicans and record lows for Democrats (in terms of shares of the electorate), but there were still more than 100,000 more voters on the Democratic side. I suppose Democrats are happy with this, and there was talk that Republicans might gain parity with the Democrats in their regard, but that never happened.
At the end of the day, pundits can look at this and offer analysis, but it is as simple as one thing: local candidates. Voters will still vote for their county supervisor or sheriff or any other county office over statewide candidates. If they still run as Democrats, they will vote in that primary. If they have switched to the GOP, they will then move to that primary.
Consider this example where there were several party switchers: In Lee county, Republican candidates for sheriff (which included incumbent Jim Johnson running as a Republican for the first time) received 12,329 votes compared to 4,043 on the Democratic side. Four years ago, Democratic candidates for governor received 12,766 votes in the county compared to 2,851 votes for the Republicans. Yet when all was said and done in November, Haley Barbour won 59 percent of the vote, or 12,191 votes compared to 8,889 votes for Democrat John Arthur Eaves. (Or nearly 4,000 less than the party received in the primary).
Did this recent primary vote change occur because of some major change of heart? No, it solely had to do with Johnson and other local elected officials in the county joining the Republican Party. Just like voters would have stayed in the Democratic primary had the local officials stayed.
On a side note, Lee was really one of the last of the major suburban counties still voting in the Democratic primary. A similar situation occurred in Jones, one of the other large counties that still voted Democratic in primaries, until Tuesday.
The GOP will certainly continue to work at bringing county Democrats into the party. And this is likely the best strategy at both gaining local officials and primary votes. But this leads to the next question, how much does this matter? Having a Democratic sheriff in Lafayette county did little to hurt Barbour in the county where he won 67 percent of the vote, for example.
But you also make the argument that this is where you build your political bench. Former Rep. Travis Childers was a longtime chancery clerk before winning his House seat. Brandon Presley, the northern district public service commissioner, was a mayor before winning election in 2007. That bench hasn’t been able to move up to statewide offices, and in most cases is plenty happy at the local level.
A note to MIM viewers:
Over the ost day or two I ave posted a few “tongue in cheek” posts that were somewhat lacking in serious dialogue. But on a very serious note I want to encourage all MIM viewers who have conservative, family values to shake off any disgruntled feelings that you may harbor following your candidate being defeated in the primaries. Those of us who are true R voters must begin to come together as a united entity as we move toward the general election. Although your favorite candidate(s) may have been defeated in the primary it is terribly important to move past any personal negative feelings about his or her opponent who achieved victorious. Please help us “circle the wagons” around the victorious R candidates as we move toward the general election. You can bet the Jim Hood’s, Connie Moran’s, Luckett’s/Dupree’s, etc will get lots of out-of-state help from the radically liberal D’s out there. Don’t take anything for granted thinking the R’s will automatically win the general election. Just a few days ago I was rooting for Dave, Billy, Lucien and Max. Today I’m rooting for Phil, Tate, Lynn and Cindy! It’s time for all of us who supported losing R candidates to get on board with the victors. Because if we don’t we risk putting a D in office come next year. Failing to support the victors of the R primaries, and upcoming runoff, is tantamount to supporting O’Bama, Pelosi and the other liberal D’s who, you can bet, are closely watching the Mississippi elections. You may not love the victorious R candidate(s), but hey, you ain’t gotta eat Christmas dinner with em! Just get out and support them with your dollars, votes or whatever else you can give!
Because a person wears an “R”, label is not justification for supporting them. Wny is it better for one label to tax and waste than it is for the other. I told of an event where a business owner told me, it really doesn’t matter which party wins. Either way it’s the working class that will pay as the politically connected are rewarded, We republicans panic at the thought of George Soros getting Federal Dollars, yet many supported Trent Lott’s efforts to send American Money and Jobs to France.
Party politics, for the sake of creating wealth will destroy our country. Look at the skirmishes between Shihite and Suni’s . Now change the name to Reps. and Dems. The resulting failure of society is the same. Thats where we’re headed when party loyalty overrides independent thought.
Self Government is not a sporting event it requires a liittle more than a clever game plan.
One other thing should be pointed out with regards to party politics. It is the fault of our Party that Obama is president. In our zeal to protect our own, we forgot the rest of the country.
As much as I hate it, I see us doing that again.
Maybe this election should be about what and who is best, regardless of Party.
The bitter taste of “sour grapes” Ron. Get over it Ron. You were soundly trounced and came in a very distant third place. Now you wanna remain the bitter and angry person you were before the election. It’s time to move on and show party loyalty. But you just can’t let go of your apparent hate for Phil Bryant. My fav candidate didn’t win but I’m man enough to let it go and honor the majority of the voters. It’s called democracy Ron. Like it or not but the voters have spoken. Phil is the R candidate and I’m supporting him. Simple as that. Yes Ron, it’s called democracy but you just can’t embrace it. Well I respect your decision not to support it but I very clearly see your bitterness and anger. Sour grapes sure are bitter aren’t they Ron?
You amaze me. Are you not capable of understanding what principles and values are? I have no sour grapes. If anything, I am less upset about wasteful Govt. now than I was 6 months ago. At least I tried.
I don’t hate Phil, you or anyone else. You guys are all welcome to the tractor pull, and I’ll buy you a lemonade.
The fact is, I’m in discussions to sell our company and retire. I cannot see the sense of working in the hot Mississippi sun, just to pay taxes so politicians can waste much of that money rewarding Campaign contributors. I don’t understand why any working Mississippian would continue to do that.
Although you feel like you have to make a personal attack at everything I say, everything is not for you.
There are actually participants on this site, who are capable of intellegent thought. Something besides comments based on a personal grudge. And by the way, If you had done your job better, you wouldn’t have to hold this grudge against me.
I am not angry with anybody. Today, I’m helping an elderly couple get a house, Monday I start working with Honor Flight again. Saturday, I am sponsoring our 2nd annual tractor show in vancleave. ( you should come out ) A lot of our older citizens will be there to talk about the past. It’s a lot of fun and free.
I will continue my efforts to be an asset to my community and neighbors. You see, I have always believed in Public service above personal gain. If there is anyway I can be of service to you or someone you know, let me know.
You are right, rat. I wasn’t selected by the voters. I’m ok with that. But that doesn’t change my mind on what good Government is.
There were some good public servants selected to some positions, this election, and I will support all of those.
One other thing you should know, I will be praying that God gives you a sense of peace. I am concerned about your demeanor.
When it is all said and done, the most important thing of all is making it to Heaven.
Good Luck Rat
thanks to all of y’all for letting me participate
Ron
228-990-4564
I supported Dave, Tate, Delbert, Lee, Dannie, and Marvin. I intend to vote for and support the winners of the Republican primary with a special emphasis on Steve Simpsons race for Attorney General.