Ricky Dombrowski says Secretary of State Hosemann on a power grab.

Two more Mississippi Democrats switch to Republican Party

BY: B. Keith Plunkett

Two more Mississippi Democrats made the switch to the Republican Party today at GOP Headquarters in Jackson brining the total number since 2009 to 53. State Representatives Russ Nowell of Louisville represents District 43, and Representative Margaret Rogers of New Albany represents District 14. The two were joined by gaggle of state officials.

Majority in Mississippi has a running tally of party switchers HERE.

Click the pictures below for a larger view:



GOP Chairman Brad White is joined by Governor Barbour and dozens of
state officials to join Russ Nowell and Margaret Rogers to the Republican Party























State Rep. Russ Nowell of Louisville is flanked by Governor Barbour, Rep. Scott Bounds,
Rep. Margaret Rogers, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and other state officials
as he announces his switch to the Republican Party.



Rep. Russ Nowell



State Rep. Margaret Rogers of New Albany with Governor Barbour, Secretary
of State Delbert Hosemann, Chairman Brad White, and Rep. Russ Nowell.



Governor Barbour welcomes Rep. Margaret Rogers and Rep. Russ Nowell
to the Mississippi Republican Party

Special Elections to go ahead as planned

Special elections for Northern Transportation Commissioner, and to replace the seats left open by Senator Alan Nunelee and Representative Steven Palzzo will reportedly go on as planned tomorrow despite snow and sleet across the state yesterday.

Secretary of State Delbert Hoseman said his office would plan to hold the elections as scheduled unless Governor Barbour decided otherwise. Barbour spokesman Dan Turner said Sunday the governor would make a decision today, based on whether roads are expected to be clear Tuesday.

Reform candidates taken off Miss. U.S. House ballot

Mississippi election commissioners on Wednesday removed all four Reform Party candidates from the November congressional ballot because of questions about the state party's leadership.

The candidates have until next Tuesday to appeal their removal. They are Barbara Dale Washer in the 1st District, Ashley Norwood in the 2nd, Tracella Lou O'Hara Hill in the 3rd and Anna Jewel Revies in the 4th.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says their qualifying papers were submitted by Thomas Randolph Huffmaster, who called himself chairman of the Reform Party of Mississippi.

Hosemann says his office has a sworn statement from the national Reform chairman that Huffmaster was not state chairman and didn't have the authority to submit candidates' names.

CL

Clones are people, too?

It appears that the drive to place an abortion ban on the 2011 ballot in Mississippi has been successful. I don't believe in abortion, personally. And I may come around to participating in the discussion, yet again. But at present this one is getting filed under "Here We Go Again". Don't we know the ultimate ending to this already?

I have to admit I was taken aback by one part of the proposal.

Under the proposal, a person would be defined "to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the equivalent thereof."

So, now we are protecting clones too? That one made me giggle a little. First we don't want science to create life, because that's God's job. But, if they do, then we'll love them just the same.


Abortion opponents in Miss. clear petition bar

Abortion opponents have enough signatures to put an anti-abortion proposal on next year's ballot, making Mississippi the second state in the nation where the initiative has reached that point.

In 2011, voters will be asked to support a ballot initiative that would give unborn fetuses human rights in the state constitution. A similar proposal goes before Colorado voters this fall.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said Thursday the petitioners got more than the minimum 89,285 signatures required to get the initiative before voters.

The grassroots effort had the support of Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who recorded a telephone message that was sent to thousands of Mississippians urging them to sign the petition.

Under the proposal, a person would be defined "to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the equivalent thereof."

Keith Mason, co-founder of Personhood USA, a group formed to support similar initiatives across the country, said Mississippi was chosen because "it's the most pro-life state in America."

Mississippi has one of the nation's toughest abortion laws, requiring the consent of both parents for minors and a 24-hour waiting period and counseling before all abortions.

Michele Colon, a social justice activist and a former National Organization for Women board member, said a campaign to oppose the measure would be launched. Colon said she will work with a coalition of groups on community outreach.

"It's unconstitutional. It's harmful legislation against the women of Mississippi regarding their reproductive health care," Colon said.

Read the rest at The Sun Herald