Clarion Ledger MS-01 Wrap

Democrat Travis Childers blasted past Republican Greg Davis by nearly 8,000 votes in his special election bid for the congressional seat vacated by Roger Wicker. Wicker of course is set to try the doomed Republican strategy against former Governor Ronnie Musgrove. Wicker has a slight edge here only due to fundraising, really a draw. With the good news from MS-01 look for Musgrove's fundraising efforts to pick up steam.

The Jackson based Clarion Ledger, boasting the states largest circulation, had a few things of note in their wrap up of the MS-01 race.

Travis Childers said:

"What made the difference is the fact that we wanted this to be a local race. So many people tried to nationalize it. This was a local race about 24 counties in Mississippi."

Terry Cassereino said:

Childers' victory "changes the dynamics going into the fall elections," said his campaign press secretary, Terry Cassreino, who also is spokesman for the Mississippi Democratic Party. "Democrats weren't supposed to win this seat."

And if you think the GOP is done with nasty politics in MS-01, just wait until November...

Davis, 42, said, "I think when he goes to Washington, we'll know where he stands versus what he says."

"We may have lost the battle but we haven't lost the war," he added. "We're not known for giving up and we don't intend to give up on the November race."

Marty Wiseman, director of the Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University, said, "It's only the beginning, not the end. The Republicans will try viciously to hold onto that seat or reclaim it."

We have a very good shot at winning with Musgrove in November, and holding on the seat just won by Childers. The voters of MS-01 are going to respect Travis, and he will keep their vote. We must work on registering new voters before November. Change is in the air.