august 2023 |
ALL TEXT BY ZOREK RICHARDS
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| August 30, 2023 |
Fabian Nelson
"I'm representing every single person in District 66 and, really, in the state of Mississippi. There are so many marginalized communities, and I'm the advocate for every single person, Black, white, transgender, gay, bisexual. We have to have advocates that are advocating for every person from every walk of life."
--Fabian Nelson after winning state Democratic Primary; 8.29.23
--Fabian Nelson after winning state Democratic Primary; 8.29.23
Annise Parker
"Voters in Mississippi should be proud of the history they’ve made but also proud to know they’ll be well-represented by Fabian. Fabian’s victory is a testament to his dedication to his community and the thoughtful, diligent work he put into winning this campaign." --Annise Parker, CEO & president of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund; 8.29.23
Tamarra Butler-Washington
"The positions I've held over the last 20 years of my career have always been in advocating for the people. My jobs allowed me to be able to advocate on a different level for the people, and I want to take the work experience, the conventional
experience, along with the community experience that I have and be the voice for the citizens of District 69, the voice for the voiceless."
--Tamarra Butler-Washington after her Run-Off win for Democratic primary for House District 69
experience, along with the community experience that I have and be the voice for the citizens of District 69, the voice for the voiceless."
--Tamarra Butler-Washington after her Run-Off win for Democratic primary for House District 69
Justis Gibb
"That's how the most successful legislators, Democrat and Republican, bring back the most in appropriations for their districts for special projects. I've seen it done. I've watched my mother in this position for the last six years, and her voting record speaks for itself. She is a strong Democrat. However, she is able to maneuver, strategize and not cut out other legislators simply because they do not agree on the same policies." --Justis Gibb after winning the Democratic primary for House District 72 Hinds and Madison counties and includes parts of Jackson and Ridgeland 8.29.23
| August 23, 2023 |
Aug 23, 2023: Human Rights Campaign: Human Rights Campaign Endorses Fabian Nelson for Mississippi House of Representatives
Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of Fabian Nelson for the Mississippi House of Representatives, District 66.
HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize Equality Voters in Mississippi in support of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. According to PRRI, more than 66% of Mississippians support LGBT non-discrimination protections.
Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of Fabian Nelson for the Mississippi House of Representatives, District 66.
HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize Equality Voters in Mississippi in support of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. According to PRRI, more than 66% of Mississippians support LGBT non-discrimination protections.
| August 18, 2023 |
August 18, 2023:
Mississippi is asking a federal appeals court for a second hearing on whether it can permanently strip voting rights from people convicted of certain felonies. A divided panel of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges ruled that the practice amounted to unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. On Friday, state attorneys asked the full 16-member court to take another look at the 2-1 ruling, which was handed down Aug. 4. In its latest filing, the state argues that the panel’s decision conflicts with Supreme Court precedent and would “inflict profound damage” if it stands. According to the Associated Press the 5th Circuit last year rejected a call to end the state’s prohibition of felons’ voting, ruling in a lawsuit that argued that the Jim Crow-era authors of the Mississippi Constitution stripped voting rights for crimes they thought Black people were more likely to commit, including forgery, larceny and bigamy. The Supreme Court let that decision stand.
The majority in the Aug. 4 decision, consisted of judges nominated to the court by Democratic presidents: Carolyn Dineen King, nominated by President Jimmy Carter, and James L. Dennis, nominated by President Bill Clinton. Judge Edith Jones, nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, strongly dissented.
Mississippi is asking a federal appeals court for a second hearing on whether it can permanently strip voting rights from people convicted of certain felonies. A divided panel of 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges ruled that the practice amounted to unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. On Friday, state attorneys asked the full 16-member court to take another look at the 2-1 ruling, which was handed down Aug. 4. In its latest filing, the state argues that the panel’s decision conflicts with Supreme Court precedent and would “inflict profound damage” if it stands. According to the Associated Press the 5th Circuit last year rejected a call to end the state’s prohibition of felons’ voting, ruling in a lawsuit that argued that the Jim Crow-era authors of the Mississippi Constitution stripped voting rights for crimes they thought Black people were more likely to commit, including forgery, larceny and bigamy. The Supreme Court let that decision stand.
The majority in the Aug. 4 decision, consisted of judges nominated to the court by Democratic presidents: Carolyn Dineen King, nominated by President Jimmy Carter, and James L. Dennis, nominated by President Bill Clinton. Judge Edith Jones, nominated by Republican President Ronald Reagan, strongly dissented.
Last week, Mississippi conducted its state primaries, determining the political landscape for a myriad of statewide, legislative, and county offices. The marquee contest – a showdown between Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and perennial challenger Chris McDaniel – has been viewed as a microcosm of the broader ideological battle that will soon shape the GOP presidential primaries. In the end, McDaniel’s aggressive campaign, positioning himself to the right of an already staunch conservative in Hosemann, fell well short. Hosemann glided to victory, clinching the primary win and eliminating the need for a risky runoff. For the record, as a former right winger I always supported McDaniel, but no more. In fact, any Pro-Trump Republican will not get my vote for anything....and quite possible no Republicans ever as long as Trump remains a part of the GOP. (SOURCE: Supertalk; From Mississippi primaries to the Fulton County Courthouse: A political landscape in flux)
| August 14, 2023 |
Aug 14, 2023: Magnolia State Live: Mississippi city councilwoman reaches plea deal over comments reportedly offering cash prizes in ‘get out vote’ raffle
Tupelo Councilwoman Nettie Davis on Monday reached an agreement with local prosecutors and a state judge to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of violating an election law, but she will avoid the penalty of being removed from office. Senior Circuit Judge Paul Funderburk signed off on a “non-adjudication” agreement that accepts Davis’ guilty plea, requires her to pay $5,000 with $4,500 suspended, pay $227.75 in court fees and avoid a public trial.
Tupelo Councilwoman Nettie Davis on Monday reached an agreement with local prosecutors and a state judge to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of violating an election law, but she will avoid the penalty of being removed from office. Senior Circuit Judge Paul Funderburk signed off on a “non-adjudication” agreement that accepts Davis’ guilty plea, requires her to pay $5,000 with $4,500 suspended, pay $227.75 in court fees and avoid a public trial.
Jeramey Anderson
Frequently, I had been told that young people should wait their turn, and that a 22 year old didn’t have the knowledge and experience necessary to serve the people. But I ran anyway — and I won. Armed with unwavering determination, I came to the legislature knowing that I had a fantastic support group back home. But I was also a realist. I knew I faced long odds to accomplish my legislative goals at the Capitol. The truth was, I was in the “wrong” party. The Republican Party had a firm grip on state government, which remains true today, and its leaders made it clear that they did not need, nor want, the advice or votes of the Democrats. And while I knew how the government was supposed to work, I soon found that was not the way it did work. I had much to learn.
--Jeramey Anderson; Teen Vogue; Jeramey Anderson, Mississippi Lawmaker, on the Power of Youth Representation in Politics 8.15.23
--Jeramey Anderson; Teen Vogue; Jeramey Anderson, Mississippi Lawmaker, on the Power of Youth Representation in Politics 8.15.23
Jeramey Anderson
Working with Republicans and Democrats, we have continued to focus on issues where we have had common ground. Through our united efforts, the House passed legislation that would make it easier to vote absentee, a crucial issue for college students who face many obstacles to getting a vote cast in their home districts. We passed legislation to try to stop Mississippi’s “brain drain”, the exodus of recent college graduates from the state. And we were instrumental in changing the state flag to remove a nod to the confederacy and create a new, more inclusive symbol. I came to the statehouse as the youngest lawmaker ever elected, and I’ve learned so much. Beyond how to get bills passed and work collaboratively, I’ve learned that my voice as a young Black person is necessary, important, and enriching to the whole process. My lived experiences are valuable, and even though I was told to wait my turn, I’ve had a hand in changing the course of history for young people across my state because I chose not to. You shouldn’t wait either.
--Jeramey Anderson; Teen Vogue; Jeramey Anderson, Mississippi Lawmaker, on the Power of Youth Representation in Politics 8.15.23
--Jeramey Anderson; Teen Vogue; Jeramey Anderson, Mississippi Lawmaker, on the Power of Youth Representation in Politics 8.15.23
| August 10, 2023 |
Aug 10, 2023: The Center Square: Favorites roll in Mississippi primary elections with few upsets
Mississippi's primary elections went largely by the numbers this week, but one of the state's utility regulators is out of a job.
In the Public Service Commission's Southern District Republican race, Gulfport developer Wayne Carr knocked off incumbent Commissioner Dane Maxwell by a 10,328-vote margin according to unofficial results on Tuesday.
Mississippi's primary elections went largely by the numbers this week, but one of the state's utility regulators is out of a job.
In the Public Service Commission's Southern District Republican race, Gulfport developer Wayne Carr knocked off incumbent Commissioner Dane Maxwell by a 10,328-vote margin according to unofficial results on Tuesday.
| August 5, 2023 |
Aug 5, 2023: Supertalk: Federal court strikes down Mississippi’s lifetime voting ban for convicted felons
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel has struck down a Mississippi law that implements a lifetime voting ban on some convicted felons.
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel has struck down a Mississippi law that implements a lifetime voting ban on some convicted felons.
| August 1, 2023 |
August 1, 2023:
Brandon Presley launched his first attack ad in the campaign for governor — an ad that triggered a quick response from Gov. Tate Reeves. Presley, a Democrat from Nettleton, launched the new 30-second TV ad on Tuesday.
He claimed the governor played a “role in the largest public corruption scandal in state history, where $77 million in taxpayer dollars was lost, embezzled and stolen from education and job programs for Mississippi families and then diverted to pet projects of Tate Reeves’ well-connected friends and campaign contributors.” Reeves responded to the new TV ad Tuesday morning:
“The facts are clear that the transgressions occurred before Tate Reeves was governor and he has supported vigorous and effective prosecution against those involved.”
Reeves succeeded Phil Bryant as governor in January 2020. Neither Reeves nor Bryant has been criminally charged. (Source: WTVA)
Brandon Presley launched his first attack ad in the campaign for governor — an ad that triggered a quick response from Gov. Tate Reeves. Presley, a Democrat from Nettleton, launched the new 30-second TV ad on Tuesday.
He claimed the governor played a “role in the largest public corruption scandal in state history, where $77 million in taxpayer dollars was lost, embezzled and stolen from education and job programs for Mississippi families and then diverted to pet projects of Tate Reeves’ well-connected friends and campaign contributors.” Reeves responded to the new TV ad Tuesday morning:
“The facts are clear that the transgressions occurred before Tate Reeves was governor and he has supported vigorous and effective prosecution against those involved.”
Reeves succeeded Phil Bryant as governor in January 2020. Neither Reeves nor Bryant has been criminally charged. (Source: WTVA)