…So, what does all this mean for Jim Hood?
“He needs to show an overwhelming level of support within his own party because now you see Reeves and Waller and those Republicans already aiming at him,” added Shrader. “So, he needs to convincingly win his party nomination.”
WTOK – Waller speaks to Republican women Thursday
US NEWS – Taggart intends ‘crusade’ against drugs as Attorney General
Republican Andy Taggart of Madison says he’s running for Mississippi attorney general to wage a “crusade” against illegal drugs.
He and his wife, Karen, have spoken publicly about one their three sons, Brad Taggart, who struggled with drug problems before taking own life as a young adult.
“Karen and I have spent the last six and a half years trying to find the most effective ways to redeem the loss in our own lives and have come to the conclusion that this really is the right way to do it,” Taggart said about his campaign to become the state’s top legal officer.
“Trying to encourage policymakers in Mississippi to refocus on the manner in which we grapple with the drug war, which I believe to be the greatest earthly danger to young people in our state, is the right leadership role for me to take on at this stage of my life and career,” he said.
Britton releases ad for Sec. of State
My parents raised me in rural Mississippi with strong conservative values, like hard work, family and honesty. As a Republican candidate for Secretary of State, I’ll bring those values to represent you in this important office. pic.twitter.com/nRipbXL6h4
— Sam Britton (@SamBrittonMS) May 16, 2019
Democrat Lt. Governor candidate Hughes to host town hall in Cleveland
You’re invited to Jay Hughes’s Cleveland Town Hall, where we will share with each other our vision for an even better Mississippi, and have unscripted questions and answers pic.twitter.com/wMm20RrswX
— Jay Hughes (@Jay4Mississippi) May 17, 2019
Bryant proud of Alabama Gov. Ivey for standing up for life
Proud of my good friend @GovernorKayIvey for standing up for life. Mississippi is not alone in this battle. https://t.co/W0at7TvkEg
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) May 16, 2019
WJTV – Governor Bryant travels to Uzbekistan to promote trade
Mississippi Republican Gov. Phil Bryant is on a trade mission to the central Asian country of Uzbekistan.
Bryant spokesman Bobby Morgan says the governor and others left Sunday and will return Saturday.
The delegation includes Mississippi National Guard Adjutant Gen. Durr Boyles, Mississippi Development Authority director Glenn McCullough and others from state government and the private sector.
Morgan tells The Associated Press on Thursday that the Mississippi National Guard and the Uzbekistan military have been jointly training for six years in a state partnership program.
HATTIESBURG AMERICAN / CLARION LEDGER – Ole Miss professor who urged people to stick their fingers in senators’ food granted tenure
The state College Board on Thursday spent nearly two hours behind closed doors before granting tenure to a University of Mississippi assistant professor who once encouraged confronting Republican U.S. Senators at restaurants as political protest.
Assistant sociology professor James Thomas was criticized last October after calling for interrupting senators’ meals in response to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination.
“Don’t just interrupt a Senator’s meal, y’all,” Thomas wrote on Twitter on Oct. 6. “Put your whole damn fingers in their salads. Take their apps and distribute them to the other diners. Bring boxes and take their food home with you on the way out.”
Thomas’ employer and Gov. Phil Bryant denounced the tweet, with the latter calling the statements “troubling.” Some people called for Thomas to be fired over his comments.
Sen. Wicker’s father makes Fox News headlines
It was a reunion that was decades in the making, but my 95-year-old father, Judge Fred Wicker, reconnected with his 109-year-old fifth grade teacher. Little did we know that his story would make it to @TheFive on @FoxNews. Thank you, @DanaPerino, for sharing! pic.twitter.com/sMq8da2sJi
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) May 16, 2019
WXXV – Mark Baker running for Attorney General
Congressman Thompson critical of White House over “right-wing terrorism”
“‘I’m not surprised,’ [Chairman @BennieGThompson] told reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday. ‘They’ve demonstrated that they don’t get it and that anything remotely related to right-wing terrorism they’ve just [been] reluctant to be critical.'” https://t.co/ayx9m1cpYD
— House Homeland Security Committee (@HomelandDems) May 16, 2019
CLARION LEDGER – There are inmates on death row. But Mississippi hasn’t executed anyone in years.
A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of two Mississippi death row inmates and joined by four others was put on hold last July until the U.S.Supreme Court ruled in the Missouri case.
Mississippi death row inmates asked for the delay, and State Attorney General Jim Hood didn’t oppose the motion.
Hood’s office spokeswoman, Margaret Ann Morgan, said Wednesday, “Our case is still stayed. We are continuing to review the decision in the Missouri case as well as our options moving forward.”
Jim Craig, an attorney for some of of the inmates, said there is a May 26 deadline, which is 30 days after the Bucklew opinion becomes final, to report to Judge Henry Wingate about the case.
Craig, however, said that no matter the outcome of the federal lawsuit, don’t expect an execution in Mississippi this year. He said the losing side will surely appeal, meaning the case likely won’t be completed this year.
Wicker speaks to Shipbuilders Council
Thank you to @SenatorWicker for speaking about the importance of U.S. shipbuilding. Thank you for your resolute support of our industry. #usshipbuilding #jonesact pic.twitter.com/4Iumnkrz8R
— SCA (@ShipbuildersUSA) May 16, 2019