Posted on 01/11/2007 7:26:48 PM PST by LdSentinal
LEAKESVILE, Miss. - State Sen. James "Shannon" Walley of Leakesville, elected as a Democrat in 2003, said Thursday that he has qualified for re-election as a Republican.
Walley represents Senate District 43, which includes all of Greene County and parts of Forrest, George, Perry and Wayne counties.
"When I got to the Senate, I found myself voting more with the Republicans than with members of my own party. I realized that my beliefs were more in line with the Republican Party, and I need to stay true to myself and what is best for my district," Walley said in a statement.
His switch puts the balance of power at 26 Republicans and 26 Democrats in the state Senate. But the GOP has had working control of the chamber for years because Republican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck presides in the chamber and appoints committee chairmen.
Walley's brother, first-term state Rep. Shaun Walley of Leakesville, qualified for re-election as a Democrat.
The Mississippi Democratic Party said in a news release that it intends to hang onto the seat. Two Democrats - Robert "Bobby" Hendry and Jerry W. Hutto - already have qualified to run.
"This district is made up of hardworking people who support Democratic issues such as strong public schools, a higher minimum wage, strong health care, lower grocery taxes and Medicaid," Sen. Gloria Williamson, D-Philadelphia, said in the party's news release. "A Democrat will win this seat on these issues."
Candidates' qualifying deadline is March 1. Party primaries are Aug. 7, and the general election is Nov. 6.
State Sen. James "Shannon" Walley of Leakesville.
Bravo! for his realization!
Lower Grocery taxes????? I wasn't aware this was a hotbutton issue.
Leakesville? Wow...Dad was born there, and I've been there a coupla times.
Grocery tax, eh? Hmmm...Gramma and Grampa Jinx grew all their own food 40 years ago, I bet the tax wasn't an issue then. I wonder, has the area changed that much since then?
Interesting, huh?
Oh, goodie. Another RINO.
I've not been to Leaksville. I've only lived in MS for a year and a half and my fair city is fronts the MS River.
Maybe.
It's over on the other side of the state from you, sounds like.
We were stationed in Biloxi while Dad taught radio/electronics at Keesler. The drive to the farm was very nice, it was like moving into a whole new world.
Grampa owned a section of land, planted 40 acres in corn and sorghum, had sugar cane and a sugar mill/press down the road, and had 100s of acres of pine trees he grew for the paper company. Scott, I think.
Those days are long gone.
With this switch, it means the GOP now has either has de facto or complete control of the State Senates of all the southern (old Confederacy) states save NC, LA & AR (AL has GOP control via a minority GOP/DINO coalition).
If I were the GOP in MS this year, I'd surely hang the Nancy Pelosi albatross around every single 'Rat legislative candidate running.
We have the highest grocery taxes (7%) in the nation.
IMHO, that's just wrong.
We have the highest grocery taxes (7%) in the nation.
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