It seems they can win statewide elections for Lt. Governor spots but that's about it.
Both Winsome Earle-Sears and Mark Robinson in neighboring North Carolina were elected for these token deputy positions. Robinson, of course, got clobbered when he ran for the top spot in 2024 and things aren't looking good for Earle-Sears right now.
So, your point still stands. We keep repeating this same pattern in the south and it almost never works out for us.
No one ever ran a four-minute mile until someone did. Pessimism is a losing philosophy. Hard work toward a desired goal is a winning philosophy. Stop whining and start working.