Daily Journal Article:"My approach is very simple. I want to use talent," Franks told the Daily Journal editorial board Tuesday morning during a 60-minute interview. "I want people who can get the job done whether Democrat, Republican, black, white, male, female.
Competence and diversity of ideas are both important and we should select a Lt. Governor who also believes in both.
Franks, a three-term Democratic state House member from Mooreville, will face Republican state auditor Phil Bryant for the open seat of lieutenant governor. Bryant told the Daily Journal in an editorial board meeting last month he will appoint only Republicans to key committee chairs.
If he's being truthful that means that black Mississippians would be shut out of Senate leadership because there is not black Republican in the Senate. Is Bryant really prepared to shut out over 1/3 of the state population from ANY position of leadership in the Chamber? If so, that would be very extreme.
"I am going to be my own man," Franks said. "The state Senate will not be held accountable to the speaker of the House nor the governor. It will be held accountable to the people."
For too long the Senate has either gone with the House (mostly prior to the '90s) or been in lockstep with the Governor as it has been for the last few years. It is a separate body and represents just as many people as the House. It should be a strong independent voice for Mississippi. It is not now.
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