Free Republic

He first joined the legislature back in 1980, now more than 30 years later democratic House Speaker Billy McCoy is putting down the gavel for good and retiring. It's a move some lawmakers say they expected. "He sent some signals that he was thinking about that and I had a number of conversations with him where he said he has not made up his mind," said Rep. Cecil Brown (D-Jackson). "He won under current districts by one vote. He became speaker by one vote," said Rep. Mark Baker, (R-Brandon). "I don't think those votes are there to re-elect him speaker."...

<p>The Mississippi Republican Party began the election season with a barrage of faxes and Web sites attacking Democratic lawmakers with hopes of increasing GOP numbers in the 2004 Legislature.</p> <p>The strategy failed on at least one front, laments GOP Chairman Jim Herring.</p>