Wicker Defeats Musgrove for Senate
Dwayne Bremer, Sea Coast Echo
Nov 5, 2008
Hancock County
saw a record turnout for Tuesday's presidential election. More than
15,000 people cast ballots and – when all of the voting was done –
current senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker scored landslide
victories along with U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor.
Wicker won the open senate seat which was vacated last year by Sen. Trent Lott.
He was appointed on Jan. 1, 2008 after Lott resigned last fall.
Unofficial state results show Wicker holding a commanding lead of 57 percent to former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's 43 percent.
In Hancock County, Wicker dominated with nearly 65 percent of the votes cast.
"I am honored and humbled to be elected to the United States Senate by
my fellow Mississippians," Wicker said in an email to the Echo. "Gayle
and I thank Hancock County for the great support you showed us in
Tuesday's election. I look forward to working with the citizens of
Hancock County and the State of Mississippi in making our great state
better for all Mississippians."
Cochran soundly defeated Democratic challenger Eric Fleming by nearly 70 percent state wide, unofficial results show.
Taylor, a Democrat and a native of Bay St. Louis, easily defeated
Republican challenger John McCay in the U.S. House District Four race
by collecting nearly 75 percent state wide and nearly 80 percent in
Hancock County.
Hancock County Republican Chairman Danny Johnson said he was happy to
see South Mississippi support the leaders who have done so much for the
Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
"Roger Wicker was an elected official who was helping us," Johnson
said. "He and Sen. Cochran were the boots on the ground and his impact
is evident by the funding which has really made a difference. I think
today's vote shows Mississippi just how much we appreciate what these
two great men have done for us."
Wicker will serve the remainder of Lott's term, which does not expire until 2012.
Scott Walker, an assistant to Lott and Wicker, said Wicker took a big chance by moving from the House to the Senate.
"This is a great night for Sen. Wicker," Walker said. "He left a safe
seat in the United States House last December and took a chance to run
statewide because he believes in Mississippi. His decision benefits
him and the entire state of Mississippi."
© Copyright 2007 Bay St. Louis Newspapers, Inc.
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Diaz, Gilmore Win Hancock
By Dwayne Bremer, Sea Coast Echo
Nov 5, 2008
Jackson County
Chancery Court Judge Randy "Bubba" Pierce defeated incumbent state
Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz Tuesday in the 27 county District
Two, Place Two Supreme Court race.
"We are very excited," Pierce's former campaign manager Carmel
Wells-Smith said Tuesday evening. "We were hoping to win, but the
percentage is just overwhelming."
Unofficial state results have Pierce collecting more than 210.000 votes to Diaz's 150,000.
A relative unknown in Hancock County just a few months ago, Pierce collected 6,636 votes here to Diaz's 6,736.
"I think Danny Johnson and the local Republican party leaders in
Hancock County did a great job of getting name recognition for Randy,"
Wells-Smith said.
"I think he (Pierce) will bring a fresh perspective to the supreme court. He will be fair and just."
In the only local race of note, incumbent District Three Election
Commission Gary Gilmore defeated former commissioner Lynn Cheramie by
1,982 votes to 1,421.
All other county races saw candidates run unopposed.
Winners include school board members Pattie Stennett and Billy Thomas
and election commissioners Glen Meranto, Sandra Henley, Carolyn Adam,
and Judith Redshaw.
The special non-binding referendum in the Flat Top Community asking
voters if they wanted to rejoin the Hancock County School District
passed by more than 70 percent.
130 people voted in favor of the matter while only 53 objected.
Overall, election officials said the election ran very smoothly. Only a handful of minor problems were reported.
Most of the issues dealt with paper jams in voter machines and road construction around polling places, officials said.
More than 15,000 people voted in Hancock County on Tuesday, the biggest turnout in recent history.
© Copyright 2007 Bay St. Louis Newspapers, Inc.
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The Hancock County Republican Party Gumbo Fest attracted over 400 people Saturday, October 11th at the Hancock County Arena. The crowd enjoyed great food and live music while meeting significant Mississippi Republican officeholders and candidates.
Making appearances were Senator Thad Cochran, Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, President
Pro Tem of the Senate Billy Hewes, Commissioner
of Insurance Mike Chaney, State
Treasurer Tate Reeves, Commissioner of Agriculture Lester Spell, State
Representative Jessica Upshaw, and Congressional 4th District candidate
John McCay.
Non-partisan
candidates also participated, including Supreme Court candidate Randy
"Bubba" Pierce, incumbent Election Commissioner Chairman Gary Gilmore
and his opponent Lynn Cheramie.
The crowd was deeply touched as two elderly World War II veterans were
escorted to the stage by the Jr ROTC Color Guard from Hancock High
School. Over 60 years ago, Joseph Odea fought in the European theatre
and Jimmy Anderson, the Pacific, for the freedoms we enjoy today. As
he paid tribute to these heroes, President Pro Tem of the Senate Billy
Hewes pointed out that these veterans represent our past glories, and
the ROTC students, our future.
WQRZ radio broadcasted a live feed of the event, including the music of bands Country Sounds and Southern Company.
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| Photo by Dwayne Bremer, Sea Coast Echo |
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| Hancock High School Junior ROTC flanking WWII vets, Joseph Odea (left) and Jimmy Anderson (right). |
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| Photo by Dwayne Bremer, Sea Coast Echo |
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| Hancock High School Junior ROTC flanking WWII vets, Joseph Odea (left) and Jimmy Anderson (right). |
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