Mississippi Democrats Select New Leadership: Jamie Franks Chairman

Franks vows to build on momentum that has seen Travis Childers win U.S. House seat and Ronnie Musgrove poised to win the U.S. Senate

From a press release:

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks vowed today to build on momentum that will elect Democrats to national office this fall, city office next year and state, district and county office in 2011.

Franks, elected chairman at the first meeting of the Mississippi Democratic Party State Executive Committee for the 2008-2012 term, said the party already has scored a major victory when Travis Childers won the 1st Congressional District U.S. House seat in May.

And with former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove running a strong race for the U.S. Senate, Franks said, the party is in a great position of taking back control of the Senate seat the late, longtime U.S. Sen. John Stennis held until January 1989.

Democrat Erik Fleming is running strong against incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, while Democrat Joel Gill is running for the open 3rd District U.S. House seat. Incumbent U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson, 2nd District, and Gene Taylor, 4th District, also are running for re-election.

“People are tired of the same, old, worn-out Republican rhetoric,” Franks said. “People want change.

“They want elected officials who will work hard. They want commonsense solutions to major issues that include funding Medicaid without taxing the sick, reducing skyrocketing gasoline prices, turning around the failing national economy and ending the war in Iraq.

“Democratic candidates offer realistic solutions to these problems. Democrats are on the move in Mississippi and across this nation. And we will make the Mississippi Democratic Party relevant to the lives of all Mississippians.”

Franks, 35, who served in the state House from 1996-2008, was one of several state party officers elected today by the State Executive Committee; all will serve a four-year term. Other party officers chosen today include the following:

Vice chair: Barbara Blackmon, an attorney in Canton and a former state senator
Executive vice chair: Ed Nave of Scooba, chairman of the Kemper County Democratic Executive Committee
Secretary: Mona Pittman, an attorney in Batesville and chairman of the Panola County Democratic Executive Committee
Treasurer: Paul Winfield, an attorney in Vicksburg
Parliamentarian: Earle Banks, an attorney and state representative from Jackson

Mississippi Democrats Ahead Of The Supreme Court

2004: Year Mississippi Democratic Party Adopted A Plank Stating Full Support For Individual Gun Rights

2008: Year Republican Supreme Court Agreed

It took the Republican Supreme Court four years to begin to catch up with Mississippi Democrats on gun rights.

The original plank was written by Jamie Franks.

The Clarion Ledger Prints A Decent Piece On The Convention

Some Excerpts:

Travis Childers:

"We've been pushed down and stepped on long enough! Start pushing back! We are alive and well!"

Debbie Dawkins (Clinton Supporter)

"Each of us has been in love with our own particular candidate. As time passes, the transfer of affection will be made."

Jamie Franks (and next State Chair):

"I think we've had some infighting, a lack of resources ... we have simply not been on the same page," Franks said of the party's woes. "All I can say is that Republicans better beware, because Democrats are back."

Plus we finally took action on Ike Brown. Mississippi's Democratic Party: Now With More Justice. ;)

Besides choosing the remaining delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention in August, Democrats decided not to re-elect Brown to the state executive committee. As a committee member for the last 20 years, he had helped oversee party policies and certify Democratic candidates for state and congressional offices.

Last summer, a federal judge banned Brown and his associates from helping run Noxubee County elections after ruling he and other black political leaders in the county violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by discriminating against white voters.

The Clarion Ledger Story

Franks for Chair

According to the Daily Journal this morning, former State Representative and candidate for lieutenant governor Jamie Franks may run for chair of the Democratic Party.

Current chair, Wayne Dowdy, will not seek reelection. Jim Herring, the chair of the Republican Party, is also stepping down this year.

Thoughts?

AP Covers 1st District Race

Laurel Leader Call:

If you listen to Mississippi Democrats long enough, they’ll have you thinking a rising tide is going to sweep another member of their party to Capitol Hill.

They point to Democratic gains in the Mississippi Legislature and the Democrat-controlled Congress.

Certainly, they reason, voters in the state want to align themselves with the political majority in Washington, and ostensibly have more of a say in the nation’s policies through those they elect.

Mississippi has two open seats in the U.S. House. One in the state’s 1st District and the other in the 3rd District.

It would be a sucker’s bet that Democrats could win 3rd District since it encompasses a heavily Republican constituency.

That’s why Democrats are focusing on the 1st District.

Mississippi already has two Democratic congressmen — U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson and Gene Taylor. The state’s Republican congressmen, U.S. Reps. Chip Pickering and Roger Wicker, are leaving their posts.

Pickering, who represents the 3rd District, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year. Gov. Haley Barbour last week appointed Wicker, who represents the 1st District, to the seat left vacant with the retirement of U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, another Republican.

Wicker will serve until a special election is held Nov. 4, and then he’ll be a candidate in that election to serve out the remainder of Lott’s term, which runs through 2012.

Democrats see this as the optimal time to win back the 1st District, held by powerhouse Democrat Jamie Whitten for more than half a century before Wicker was elected in 1994.

First elected in 1941, Whitten reached the pinnacle of his influence in 1979, when he was selected by his colleagues as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Whitten also chaired the House agricultural subcommittee.

The Democrats are banking on history to win a slice of the state’s congressional future. Never mind that the Republican Wicker has been re-elected six times in the north Mississippi region.

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Dowdy, a former congressman himself, said the party would field “strong” candidates in the 1st District.

Potential Democratic contenders mentioned for the 1st District are state Rep. Steve Holland of Plantersville, former state Rep. Jamie Franks of Mooreville and Prentiss County chancery clerk Travis Childers of Booneville.

Republicans resolve to retain the district.

“It’s very important that we do maintain that as a Republican seat because this has national implications ... particularly in the House of Representatives where we want to regain control,” said Mississippi GOP Chairman Jim Herring.

Republicans considering a run for the district include former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough, who is also a former member of the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority; state Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo and Southaven Mayor Greg Davis.

Dowdy acknowledged the 3rd District will be “a little more difficult” for his party to win. The district was redrawn earlier this decade after the state lost a congressional seat. Democrats said the plan favored Pickering, who defeated U.S. Rep. Ronnie Shows, D-Miss., in 2002.

Some GOP candidates for Pickering’s seat are former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon, Madison County businessman David Landrum, former Pickering aide John Rounsaville of Madison and Gregg Harper, an attorney from Pearl.

The only known Democrat in the 3rd District is Joel Gill, a cattle broker from Pickens.

The Southern Political Report Profiles The 1st District Race

The Southern Political Report:

Mississippi: Many Contenders for Wicker Seat

By Hastings Wyman
Southern Political Report

http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/storylink_17_112.aspx

January 7, 2008 — The elevation of seven-term US Rep. Roger Wicker (R) to the US Senate has left a congressional vacancy in Mississippi’s 1st District (Tupelo, etc.) and there’s no lack of politicos expressing interest in the job. With the re-election rate of congressional incumbents in the 98% range, a vacancy is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ambitious lawmakers, as is apparent from the long list of potential candidates.

President Bush carried the district with 62% in 2004; the district is 71% white, 26% black, so a Republican is likely, though not a foregone conclusion. Geography could play a role in the primaries or the election; many voters outside of Tupelo, the largest and most prosperous town in the district, resent the city and may consciously choose a candidate who hails from elsewhere in the district. “People get tired of Tupelo looking down its nose at them,” says one source.

Here are the contenders who are already running, are considering the race, or are getting mentioned in the media as possible candidates.

The Republicans:

Greg Davis, 41, mayor of Southhaven, the fastest growing municipality in the state, was first out of the starting gate, announcing on November 28, before Wicker’s Senate appointment, that he was preparing to run in the event a vacancy occurred. On December 31, he filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and has begun organizing a campaign for both the unexpired term and the full two-year term. Davis has been mayor for eleven years and before that, was a member of the state house of representatives for six years. He has an engineering degree from Mississippi State. He is one of the top contenders, with the experience, background and outgoing personality that make for a good campaigner. He would have draw especially well in the northwestern part of the district.

Glenn McCullough, 52, a former mayor of Tupelo, made his kickoff announcement in four stops throughout the district on January 2. He is a past chairman of the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which the district’s electricity provider. He also served as director of the Appalachian Regional Commission. McCullough was elected mayor of Tupelo, the district’s largest city, in 1997 with 61% of the vote. Like Davis, he is well-qualified for the job, is personable and is well-liked. McCullough would be popular in the eastern part of the district.

State Sen. Alan Nunnelee, 49, is a 13-year veteran of the state’s upper legislative chamber, where he chairs the Public Health and Welfare Committee and is slated to become chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee when the legislature convenes on January 8. Nunnelee, who is from Tupelo, also chairs the “Taxpayer Protection Caucus” in the state senate, a group of nine senators who signed a pledge of Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform that committed him to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” Nunnelee has not entered the race, but told the Biloxi Sun-Herald that he is “seriously considering” running. He is a businessman (insurance). While not as well-known as some of the other contenders, he is smart, energetic and has a successful business background.

Brad Prewitt, a Tupelo attorney and a former staff member for US Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) has expressed interest in the race. According to the Sun Herald, Prewitt’s wife is expecting twins in February, which is affecting his decision. If he does run, he would not be as strong a candidate as Davis or McCullough, in part because he has not lived in the district very long.

Dr. Randy Russell, an Oxford ophthalmologist and a former member of the state board of health, is looking at the race. Russell has long been active in Republican Party affairs. He was a strong supporter of former Mississippi governor Kirk Fordice (R). He has indicated that he plans to run, though he isn’t likely to be strong district-wide.

The Democrats:

Travis Childers, 49, who has served as chancery clerk for Prentiss County (Booneville) for five terms, announced his candidacy on January 2. Childers is the owner of Travis Childers Real Estate in Booneville and also owns, with his family, a nursing home and related facilities. One source describes Childers as “the dark horse in the race,” noting that he is “a savvy politician who is extraordinarily well-connected” with chancery clerks and other court house officials throughout the district. “He’s a popular public figure,” continues this observer, who notes that Childers could benefit from anti-Tupelo sentiment in parts of the district.

State Rep. Jamie Franks, 35, a hard-charging populist, ran an attention-getting race for lieutenant governor in 2007, in which he promised to stand up “to the special interests and sweetheart deals that get in the way of what Mississippi families need.” Although his campaign was unsuccessful, it should give him significant name ID in the district. While Franks got 41% of the statewide vote against Phil Bryant (R), he ran marginally better in the 1st District, garnering 44%. He did not, however, carry Lee County, his home bailiwick. Franks has not announced, but in a recent interview with the Clarion Ledger, he sounded like he would not run. For starters, he might have difficulty raising the necessary funds immediately following a losing statewide campaign.

State Rep. Steve Holland, 52, has indicated in the media that he will seek the seat. He has served in the state house of representatives for 28 years, where he has earned a reputation for being a very effective lawmaker, and gets re-elected by overwhelming majorities. Holland, from Plantersville, chairs the Public Health and Human Services Committee and co-chairs the Select Committee on Accessible and Affordable Medical Malpractice Insurance. He is a farmer and a funeral home owner. He is well-known across the district, in part for being flamboyant, which some folks regard as a plus, others as a minus.

Brian Neely, a Tupelo lawyer, announced his candidacy on January 2. Neely is a former county attorney for Lee County (Tupelo). He is a former Marine Corps captain.

State Sen. Gray Tollison, 43, who chairs the upper chamber’s Judiciary Committee, was once on the staff of the late US Sen. Stennis (D-MS). A progressive young lawmaker, Tollison, from Oxford, “is a polished, urbane, cosmopolitan person,” says one observer. He is well-liked in the legislature. Tollison in a recent speech noted that he was “part of the first generation of white Southerners to attend integrated schools in the South. It has made a difference in my life.” He also praised President Lyndon Johnson for believing “that racism was not only dividing blacks from whites but also dividing the South from the rest of the nation. By freeing people from its scourge, everyone in the region would have a better chance to grow.” He and his wife are successful attorneys. Tollison has not indicated whether he will enter the race, but if he does, he could be a significant factor.

The filing deadline for the full two year term is January 11, so candidates must act quickly if they decide to run. The primary is on March 11 and the General Election is on November 4. Gov. Haley Barbour (R) has not yet called a special election for the remainder of Wicker’s term, but says he will do so within the next 60 days. It should be around the same time as the regular primary, but will be a non-partisan election, with a runoff between the top two, regardless of party. The two-election scenario may prove confusing to candidates and to voters.

Good analysis all around.

More Control For Barbour OR Balanced Government?

That's the choice Charlie Mitchell gives inThe Sun Herald

It may not be the key issue on voters' minds, but a key consequence in selecting Mississippi's next lieutenant governor is whether the state Senate will become an echo chamber for Gov. Haley Barbour, who most believe will get the nod Nov. 6 for a second term.

At the national level for much of recent history, voters have seen to it, purposely or not, that the president was from one party and majorities in Congress were from the other. The result has been a combative imbalance, often called gridlock, but, hey, people seem to prefer that arrangement. Indeed, it is often good for the public when new laws either aren't passed or follow hard-fought compromises.

Anyway, the deal is this: Barbour wants a Republican House, which would be a first, and a greater Republican majority in the Senate. While he has been more effective in managing the Legislature than any governor in memory, the fact remains that lawmakers run the state.

If voters want to see how Barbour's policies would work for Mississippi if unfettered, electing Bryant would be a big part of making that come true.

If, however, they want to see the agenda of a second- term governor challenged, they'd have to go with Franks.

Ridiculous Ads

First on the list is Mike Chaney's ad for Commissioner of Insurance. Instead of promoting affordable home insurance, or working with the Governor to put children back on health insurance, he goes after phantom frivolous lawsuits. Lawsuit abuse is not an issue in Mississippi, but we have to appreciate the fact that he does not have faith in Mississippians, the people who sit on juries who hear lawsuits, to make a proper judgment.



Next on the list is the Republican State Leadership Committee (not to be confused with the Republican running for Lt. Governor) television ad that desecrates a holy site in an inaccurate ad against Rep. Jamie Franks.



Click here to see what another blog has found out about the ad.

New Franks Ad: Phil Bryant Has Failed As Our Auditor

Meet Phil Bryant or Mr. Tort Reform Crusading Man, Man!!!

Did anybody know that Phil Bryant actually brought tort reform to Mississippi in 2005? Neither did the Legislature! But, that didn't stop him from taking credit for something he didn't do. Here's a recap of Phil's claim:

At The Meridian Star

Is Bryant so silly that he doesn't realize people would spot this for what it is - a desperate attempt to curry favor with big insurance?

The insurance types who want to make sure the status quo of big premiums with no payouts continue in Mississippi are all for Phil Bryant, a former insurance investigator whose job it was to disprove claims made by policyholders.

His opponent for Lt. Governor, Jamie Franks who actually was in the Legislature when tort reform passed, has pledged to not appoint an Insurance Committee Chair who has ties to the industry. He wants insurance policyholders to also have a strong voice in the state Senate - in other words, people matter more to him than big, multi-national corporations.

Bryant's Connections To the RSLC

Whether He Admits To Them Or Not

Dewey Phil Bryant said this to WLBT yesterday:

"Our campaign has really had no input in that commercial," says Bryant, who is currently State Auditor. "It's the Republican Leadership, State Leadership Organization. They decide what they want to put out there, what message they think is important."

The impression he seeks to leave is that he has no connections to the group.

The FACTS:

1. Neil Forbes, the Bryant Campaign Manager, worked for the RLSC directly before taking his current job with Bryant.

2. The RLSC purchased the domain name http://www.jamiefranks.com/ (which I wouldn't click if you don't want pop ups) over a year ago showing their interest in the race while Forbes still worked for them.

When I checked in the Spring This reflected that. They've altered it to hide that fact now.

Phil Bryant Loses Nerve: Campaign Once Again Playing Fast and Loose With the Facts

The Bryant campaign essentially called Jamie Franks a liar for saying he Phil Bryant wouldn't debate. This is the Franks campaign's response:

From a press release:

The "debates" the Bryant Campaign states as being debates all have a few things in common: they either took place prior to the primary election, they were not broadcast on radio or TV, and they were strictly forums. Forums are simply a Q&A format with no rebuttal – a rebuttal being a necessary condition for an actual debate.

The most prestigious of debates is sponsored by the Stennis Institute, a debate that Governor Barbour and his opponent John Eaves participated in. The Stennis Institute provided in September a broad list of dates in October in which they would be willing to host the debate; however the Bryant campaign, according Stennis Institute Director Marty Wiseman, was "too busy." Wiseman has since extended the offer to host the debate at "any time."

"If Phil Bryant can't discern the difference between a debate and a forum, apparently he doesn't know what a debate is, or he simply once again is manipulating the facts. Either way his behavior in this situation proves yet again that Mississippian's simply can't trust Phil Bryant," stated Jamie Franks spokesman A.J. Carrillo

"As for the forums, or debates in 'Phil-speak', when it comes to forums discussing issues important to working families, Phil has been MIA. He has backed out of the forums hosted by the Coalition for Children and Public Education, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the League of Women Voters. His actions beg the question, when it comes to issues important to working families, what does Phil Bryant have to hide?" concluded spokesman Carrillo.

Where Barbour's Money Is Going (The Mississippi Republican Party)

I've commented several times that I was curious how Barbour was spending so much money without appearing to be on TV any more than John Eaves.

Well, I've found two big pieces.

1. Mississippi Republican Party

From 7/30/07 to 9/17/07 the Haley Barbour campaign listed disbursements from the campaign to the Mississippi Republican Party of $1,750,000.00. That has paid for a lot of direct mail (see below) and for ads attacking Democrats running for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and House Leadership. He wants to makeover all of state government in his own image.

Ads by the Mississippi Republican Party attacking Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks have added up to $325,000 plus the Mississippi Republican Party transfered $35,000 in cash to his account for a total of $360,000 in assistance.

2. Direct Mail (paid for by Mississippi Republican Party)

While attempting to appear above the fray in his TV ads (with one exception) Barbour's money at the Mississippi Republican Party has purchased a lot of direct mailings attacking John Eaves from several angles. It's a reasonable strategy; appear cool and non-threatened in mass media and go hard negative in targeted media. If anyone will send me a scan I'd be happy to put them up.

Democratic Candidate For Lt. Governor Jamie Franks

"(Republican Ad) One Of The Most Offensive Pieces Of Garbage Ever Aired In Mississippi"

From a press release:

Still afraid to defend Phil Bryant's record as state auditor, an out-of-state group, the Republican State Leadership Committee PAC, placed a statewide $440,000 ad buy distorting Jamie Franks' record in an offensive commercial where an actor literally walks across people's graves.

"This most recent attack is undoubtedly one of the most offensive pieces of garbage ever aired in Mississippi," Franks said. "It confirms that my campaign is speaking to Mississippians and we are ahead."

Ad Watch: "Headstone"

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks supported the death tax." (HB 1781, Mar. 31, 2004; SB 3174, Apr. 20, 2004)

FACT: For HB 1781. On Mar. 31, 2004, the House FAILED (70-51) HB 1781, which would have increased the state estate tax exemption to the federal amount. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Mar. 31, 2004; HB 1781, 2004)

For SB 3174. On Apr. 20, 2004, the House FAILED (64-57) SB 3174, the Republican-controlled Senate's copy of the same estate tax bill. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Apr. 21, 2004; SB 3174, 2004)

In both instances, Franks voted to decrease the amount of taxes loved ones would owe on estates.

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks blocked millions in economic development money." (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2004)

FACT: For Delaying Bond Projects. On Nov. 8, 2004, the House Ways and Means Committee PASSED (18-10) a measure to delay votes on any bond projects until the next regular session. The vote effectively put off implementing $109 million in projects offered by Gov. Barbour. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily

Journal, Nov. 9, 2004) Franks later helped to craft a compromise that included $50 million in bonds for community and junior colleges.

Opponents: Education Bonds Not Included. Those who supported delaying the bonds argued that another session was needed to include much needed money for education. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2004) Jamie Franks is a strong supporter of public education.

One has to wonder why a Washington D.C. group is spending $440,000 in a Lt. Governor's race in Mississippi. Who do they serve? What do they expect in return?

Don't Tell Me The Republicans Don't Fear Franks

The State Republican Party has spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads attacking Jamie Franks.

The Republican State Leadership Committee has now purchased 440,000 of advertising against Jamie Franks.

It's not inconceivable to think that by the end of this campaign that Phil Bryant will have been the beneficiary of over one million dollars in independent expenditures.

Do you think the Republicans are sure of their man's re-election?

Do you think Bryant really has that double digit lead they happily fed Republican partisans?

I think it's clear that the race is close and Republicans are scared. The question is will burying Franks in negative advertising work?

Jamie Franks on Phil Bryant's Real Record

I'll add documentation if/when I get it.

Republicans In Graveyard Using Death As A Tactic

I guess the ad is made to stand out with the odd man standing in the cemetery. It probably doesn't matter that the man probably has never set foot in Mississippi, but he doesn't sound like he's from anywhere in Mississippi I've been.

The ad also makes several claims that can't really be backed up with facts.

Example:
The claim: "(The estate tax) has caused family farms to be sold."
The truth: No right wing group has ever shown where a family lost their farm to the tax.

I'm sure the Franks campaign will issue a more detailed response soon.

The video of Franks is from a Meridian Star interview. I wonder if they got permission to use it.

Notice how he smirks at the end and then walks over the graves. Pure class.

The group paying for the ad is called the Republican State Leadership Committee.

Bryant Opts For Media Attacks Over Public Debate

From a press release:

Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks, today, accused Republican Phil Bryant of using the press to do his "cowardly bidding."

"For the past three weeks, Phil Bryant has issued press release after press release, distorting my words and mischaracterizing my statements. All toward the end of trying to use the media to promote his campaign platforms and agenda. All of this while trying to duck even one debate where we can meet face to face and discuss the issues man to man. There have been two debates in the governor's race, yet Phil continues to hide. His acts are cowardly and desperate," Franks said from a campaign stop in Gulfport where he signed the Mississippi Insurance Policyholders' Bill of Rights. "Phil Bryant is hiding behind his press secretary, Mick Bullock. How cowardly can he be?"

Franks said the most recent act of cowardice was Bullock's release from Bryant's headquarters quoting Franks as saying crime is not a "real issue." "Nothing can be further from the truth," Franks said. "I have authored bills and have a voting record in the House which both speak to my stance of being tough on crimes against children and the elderly, and being tough on drug crimes. If Phil Bryant wants to distort my record and my words, he should as least be brave enough to say it to my face in the forum of a debate, rather than hiding behind his press secretary. I am confident that the media will not be duped into promoting Phil Bryant's media war of words. I will debate him anywhere, anytime."

I have to commend Haley for actually debating. As others have pointed out Haley didn't have to debate, with few incumbents choosing to when they are perceived as ahead.

Charlie Ross was right to attack Bryant for failing to engage in debates accross this state. I doubt that Bryant is secure enough to debate someone who actually disagrees with him if he wouldn't even debate someone from his own party. I hope he cares enough for this state to do so though.

Jamie Franks Stands Up For The Coast and Ratepayers Statewide

From a press release:

Candidate for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks pledged his support of the Mississippi Insurance Bill of Rights today during a signing ceremony in Gulfport with the bill's creator, Kevin Buckel of Long Beach.

The Mississippi Insurance Bill of Rights delivers concise and understandable policy language for Mississippi's homeowners insurance policy owners. This bill will ensure that policyholders have some basic rights the insurance companies cannot take away, making it harder for insurance companies to deny initial claims after a disaster.

Additionally Jamie Franks signed a pledge that stipulates that as the next Lt. Governor Franks would not only endorse the Insurance Bill of rights, but has committed himself to appoint a committee chair with no ties to the insurance industry, and he would ensure that the bill reaches a vote of the full Mississippi State Senate.

"Jamie Franks endorsing the Insurance Bill of Rights and signing this pledge shows his commitment to fighting for us here on the coast," said Kevin Buckel. "Jamie Franks stepping up not only to endorse the bill but committing to make sure it reaches a vote of the entire State Senate is a true demonstration of his commitment to Gulf Coast residents."

"There is still much work that still needs to be done on our Gulf Coast, and as the next Lt. Governor I will lead the fight in making sure the coast is not forgotten," said Lt. Governor Candidate Jamie Franks. "This important piece of legislation will make sure insurance companies fulfill their commitment to their policyholders."