Yall Politics has confirmed that Mississippi Democratic Party chairman Jamie Franks will not seek reelection to lead the state’s liberal party.
Franks, a former state representative, unsuccessful Lt. Governor candidate and most recently failed state representative candidate, has led Mississippi Democrats during a conservative, Republican revolution that saw the state’s House of Representatives move from D to R for the first time since Reconstruction, the Senate increased its Republican majority, and 7 of 8 statewide offices remain solidly on the right.
Under his watch, Mississippi’s Congressional delegation flipped from three Democrats and one Republican to three Republicans and one Democrat.
Franks has also led Democrats during an era ripe with party switchers; close to 50 Mississippi Democrats at every level of government have traded in their liberal blue for Republican red during his tenure.
As Democratic chairman, Jamie Franks has been the best friend Mississippi Republicans could have asked for.
Mississippi Democrats now must elect a new party chairman. The party’s Executive Committee will meet later this month to seat officers.
Rickey Cole, current Mississippi Democratic Executive Director, will be a candidate for chairman and based on our inquiries should have little opposition in his quest to assume the post. Cole is a longtime Democratic activist, having served as state party chairman from 2001-2004 and as the Democratic nominee for Commissioner of Agriculture in 2007.
Far be it from me to give Democrats advice (after all, the more they flounder the better it is for the conservative cause), but here are a few observations:
* A change in leadership couldn’t hurt the state’s liberal party but retreading former operatives doesn’t show that Democrats are listening to a majority of Mississippians. Democrats apparently didn’t get the message back in November 2011.
* Democrats have lost many of their closest allies, one of which is the media. Don’t get me wrong, the state’s media is still liberally sensitive, but their impact and influence has waned significantly, i.e. downsizing, reduction in distribution, etc. This has given rise to organizations such as the Mississippi Democratic Trust, HOME 2012, and others as liberals seek to rebrand and contend in the messaging arena through blogs and social media.
* Youth should be a target for Mississippi Democrats in their leadership yet reports indicate the old guard still is reluctant to give up power to the extent necessary.
As Mississippi Democrats attempt to restructure, Republicans and conservatives must stay diligent and focused. Conservatives must lead and prove their worth while building a lasting positive relationship with voters throughout the state.
Now is the time, while the momentum is still high and liberals are still licking their wounds, to take the Republican cause into local elections and finally unseat the hold Democrats have held on municipal offices. Conservatives must understand that City Hall matters and ensuring sound, principled governance there will trickle up to the state and national levels.
Mississippi is a conservative state. It won’t matter who the Democrats place in leadership if they don’t understand the ideology of Mississippi voters and they continue to prove that they are out of touch and unresponsive to the will of the people.
Here’s to another round of Democrats helping ensure the conservative cause in Mississippi is strong and that Republicans have the chance to lead Mississippi to prosperity.
