Speaker Pro Tem Election

Dirk Dedeaux (D-Perkinston) nominated J.P. Compretta (D-Bay St. Louis).
Billy Broomfield (D-Moss Point) and Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs) seconded.

Jack Gadd (D-Hickory Flat) nominated Robert Johnson (D-Natchez). Linda Coleman (D-Mound Bayou) seconded.

Update: Compretta (D-Bay St. Louis) wins 72 to 48.

Update:
Compretta was the Speaker Pro Tem during the last term. Dirk Dedeaux, Billy Broomfield, and Hank Zuber supported J.P. Compretta specifically because he is from the Coast. Folks on the Mississippi Gulf Coast often feel ignored by the legislature especially considering their outsized contribution to the economy. Some Republicans (mostly from the Coast) broke with the Smith block to vote for fellow Coast representative J.P. Compretta.

Johnson was selected by Smith to help him build support for his unsuccessful bid for Speaker of the House. Several Black Caucus members broke with the McCoy block to support him, but most also voted for his deputy.