The Delta: As Democratic As You Thought

Culturally, the Delta is known for its music and food, but as far as politics goes it’s the most loyal Democratic area in the state. It has provided some of the most powerful political figures in state history and now it is the region that regular re-elects Bennie Thompson and votes Democratic from supervisor to president. And it makes sense when you look at the demographics. The population is shrinking across the board, staggering population loses in many places, and as this is happening the black majority has become even larger. Some districts were tinkered with when Tommy Reynolds released his House maps, but despite the shedding of population there were to not be actual loses in seats. We will see what happens next year.

Mostly everyone is safe here, although we do have some competitive districts. Currently, there are 17 Democratic held seats in the region. Twelve of those are majority black, with one majority black district, HD 34, being represented by a white Democrat. This is held by Linda Whittington. In the east-west district that touches six counties and stretches from Kilmichael and nearly reaches the Mississippi River, the Democrat won a competitive special election in 2006. She would increase her vote total from 53 to 57 percent in a rematch with Republican Marvin Cochran a year later, and this year she is unopposed.

House District 33, long held by Tommy Reynolds, is safe for the Democrat. And Bobby Moak and company should be happy with the new Democrat who will serve in HD 48 (which isn’t necessarily a Delta district, but reaches to Belzoni). With conservative Democrat Mary Ann Stevens out of the picture, Jason White will take over in January.

Three other Democratic held seats, however, look to be very much in play. In HD 25, Democrat John Mayo will be met by Gene Alday, the mayor of Walls. This district slivers along the River from Clarksdale, Mayo’s home base, to the state line. Mayo is seeking a fourth term, but in the previous three his vote total has range from 54 to 57 percent.

Democrats also have to defend two open seats. With Warner McBride retiring, Republicans have a very good pickup opportunity in HD 10 with Sen. Nolan Mettetal running here. (Again, part of this district is in the Delta, part of it isn’t). And in HD 28, a district that runs north to south from Cleveland to Leland, Democrats are looking to hold on to the seat held by David Norquist, who opted against another term. The Republican nominee is Tommy Taylor and the Democratic nominee is David Dallas. This is a district that was very strong for Haley Barbour four years ago.

On a side note, HD 25 and 28, which as we’ve mentioned are both majority white and held by white Democrats, would have been converted to majority black districts under the Reynolds plan.

There are three Republican seats that reach into the Delta, although two aren’t really Delta based. Philip Gunn represents HD 56 which extends up to Yazoo City but is centered around Clinton. Also, HD 46, held by Bobby Howell, reaches into Greenwood but he is from Kilmichael and the district extends a good bit east of 55. As long as you consider Warren county the Delta, you could consider Alex Monsour’s seat a pure Delta seat. He is from Vicksburg and the lengthy district extends up to Rolling Fork.

All totaled, currently 17 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Of those Democrats, 15 voted for Billy McCoy. We mentioned Stevens, but Chuck Espy of Clarksdale also voted for Jeff Smith. Still, that’s about a quarter of the vote needed.

Delta districts include: HD 9, 10, 11, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 54, 55, 56.