Miscellaneous Notes From Last Night

As we get into general election gear, here are some final notes, some more random than others, from the runoffs last night:

** Bill Luckett’s statement on last night’s results: “I have come to know Mayor DuPree well. I regard him as a friend and someone who loves this great state as I do. He has showcased his leadership credentials. Just look at Hattiesburg. He has showcased his desire to serve ALL Mississippians. Mayor DuPree can lead us into the future. He is a fellow Mississippian who deserves and has earned my support and he’s got it. Tonight, we stand with Mayor DuPree as he launches his campaign for Governor of Mississippi.”

** Phil Bryant’s statement on the results of the Democratic primary: “Congratulations to Mayor DuPree on winning the Democrat Party nomination. Between now and November 8, the general election campaign will offer voters a clear choice about which direction our state will go in the future.I started this campaign in January committed to run on my proven track record of experience as well as my proposals of how we can make our state better in the future with more opportunities for everyone.

I’ll continue focusing my campaign on conservative ideas I’ve proposed like completely revamping our state’s budget system to bring more accountability with a new Smart Budget Act, making Mississippi the most job-friendly state in America, and improving our schools and health care system. I look forward to debating the mayor on issues important to all Mississippians.”

** Statement from the RGA: “Phil Bryant is well-positioned to become Mississippi’s next governor. His focus on job creation and limited, responsible government is exactly the kind of approach Mississippi needs. Unfortunately, Johnny DuPree supports policies that will hurt job creators and cost Mississippi hundreds of millions of dollars,” Cox said. “Phil Bryant is the only candidate voters can trust to build upon the progress Mississippi has made over the last eight years.”

** Statement from the DGA: “The Democratic Governors Association congratulates Mayor Dupree on his historic victory tonight. He has helped move Mississippi forward by becoming the first African-American to run for governor on a major party ticket. We look forward to working with his campaign and Mississippi Democrats in the coming months.”

** The Democrats PSC race in the Southern District has yet to be called. With all the precincts in Mike Collier leads Tom Blanton 42,082 to 41,656. Collier was the party’s nominee in 2007.

** Democratic primaries in HD 4 and HD 13 have now been called. In HD 4, Jody Steverson is the winner and in HD 13, Billy Gray is the winner.

** In SD 25, Madison county really came through for Will Longwitz. In the first round, with Sean Corcoran in the race, he managed 54 percent in his home county. This time around he was up to 59 percent as he would go on to win by about 750 votes. The support in Madison for Longwitz nearly matched the support in Hinds for Charles Barbour. He won 60 percent in his home county but unfortunately for Barbour Hinds only provided a little more than 20 percent of the vote this time.

** Rep. Mark DuVall’s home base in Itawamba provided enough votes for the incumbent to win regardless of his support in Lee and Tishomingo counties. DuVall received 1,600 votes in Itawamba, 67 percent, compared to 1,476 votes total for former Rep. Jamie Franks. Franks had his best showing in Lee, but only picked up 275 votes in his home county.

** Angela Hill, who unseated Sen. Sidney Albritton, can thank Pearl River county for coming through. She was at 60 percent in the county, providing 2,562 of her 3,524 total votes. Albritton won Marion and Walthall counties with 62 and 63 percent, respectively, but that wasn’t enough. Albritton and Hill are both from Pearl River county.

** The only large GOP counties that Lee Yancey won were Jackson, Lee, Lowndes, and Rankin. We mentioned that Yancey would need to do better in his home county of Rankin, and he did, winning it by about 10 points. Not what he needed. Lynn Fitch won her home county of Madison by 20 points, just as she did in the first round.

** It was a tough night for sheriffs in Northeast Mississippi. In Calhoun, Billy Mac Gore lost to challenger Larry Swanson; in Monroe, Andy Hood lost to Cecil Cantrell; in Oktibbeha, Dolph Bryan lost to Steve Gladney; and the race in Chickasaw has yet to be called with incumbent Jimmy Simmons is leading challenger Willie Dixon by about 130 votes.

** No Republican primary ballots for treasurer were cast in Quitman, Tunica, or Wilkinson counties.