Public Service Commissioner for Central Mississippi, Brent Bailey
Northern District PSC Commissioner Brandon Presley had been serving as the Chairman of Mississippi’s Public Service Commission but with the change in party majority, he understood the gavel should be passed on.
Presley, a Democrat, asked for nominations for chair from the three man board that includes Central District Commissioner Brent Bailey and Southern District Commissioner Dane Maxwell, both Republicans.
Hearing no nominations, Presley nominated Maxwell as chair. Fellow Republican Bailey did not second the nomination. Maxwell seconded Presley’s nomination and the vote was taken, affirming Maxwell as the new chairman. In the video of the new Commission’s first meeting Bailey did not voice a vote for Maxwell, choosing to abstain.
Y’all Politics contacted Bailey for comment on why he chose not to second Maxwell’s nomination or voice a vote. Neither he nor his communications staff responded with a statement at press time.
Bailey’s office did send this general statement congratulating Maxwell on his election as chairman:
“I would like to congratulate my colleague Commissioner Dane Maxwell for being elected as Chairman of the commission. I look forward to working with him and Commissioner Brandon Presley, our staff, local businesses and communities here in our state as we continue the positive work of the Mississippi Public Service Commission.”
Bailey has hired Rachael Ring as his spokesperson.
Ring had served as the Public Information Officer for former Democrat Attorney General Jim Hood.
