Cheikh Taylor |

"Mississippi’s voting rights remain fragile for far too many in this state, and Republican leaders will continue to do everything in their power to keep it that way. They do that because they’re scared. Scared that you exercising your fundamental right to vote will result in their diminished power. Republicans would rather manufacture stories about voter fraud, stand in the way of reinstating the ballot initiative, or refuse to let people who have paid their debt to society use their voice than adopt common sense solutions to the challenges facing our state.” -Rep Cheikh Taylor; Supertalk: Federal court strikes down Mississippi’s lifetime voting ban for convicted felons 8.5.23
July 7, 2023: WLBT: Rep. Cheikh Taylor appointed as new chairman of Mississippi Democratic Party
It was November of 2022 when we reported a Democratic candidate’s concerns with the leadership at the Mississippi Democratic Party. Chairman Tyree Irving refused to speak with us about his plans for the party moving forward. But now, it’s out with the old and in with the new — chairman, that is.
”What happened is an emergency meeting was called under the Constitution of the Mississippi Democratic Party,” explained Mississippi Democratic Party executive committee member and former chairman Jamie Franks. “We had a majority of the membership on that committee call. And as a result of the meeting, a majority of the 80 members voted to remove Tyree Irving as chair and appoint Representative Taylor as the new chair.”
It was November of 2022 when we reported a Democratic candidate’s concerns with the leadership at the Mississippi Democratic Party. Chairman Tyree Irving refused to speak with us about his plans for the party moving forward. But now, it’s out with the old and in with the new — chairman, that is.
”What happened is an emergency meeting was called under the Constitution of the Mississippi Democratic Party,” explained Mississippi Democratic Party executive committee member and former chairman Jamie Franks. “We had a majority of the membership on that committee call. And as a result of the meeting, a majority of the 80 members voted to remove Tyree Irving as chair and appoint Representative Taylor as the new chair.”

“A new day, and also a new attitude towards what we can do in the state. You know, of course, there are detractors saying that, you know, being a Democrat is a little convoluted these days. But the messaging has been very clear. We stand on the side of progress for the state of Mississippi......I’ve actually been on the phone this morning, making sure that we talk to candidates and ask them very, very sincerely, what have been the issues in the past? And how can we come together to make sure we don’t have those complications moving forward.” -Rep Cheikh Taylor; WLBT; 7.7.23
Aug 4, 2022: WCBI: Ms center for reentry helps former incarcerated people adjust to society
In a panel discussion, Chairman of Mississippi Department of Corrections Senator Juan Barnett and State Representative Cheikh Taylor held conversations about stigma and breaking barriers for those in the prison system. ” I think sometimes we turn a blind eye to really what the requirements are to transition back home. Having a drivers license or having access to public housing or fair housing an education. Sometimes when you get felonies those things are actually removed from your grasp,” said Taylor. April 16, 2022: The Dispatch: Area projects receive millions from state bill Starkville received $4 million to finish the development of Highway Patrol Troop G, located near Mississippi State University and near the Highway 25 bypass. The city also received $250,000 for improvements to the J.L. King Center and $250,000 for a drainage and ditch cleanup project in west Starkville.“I’m very excited to get these funds,” Roberson said. “This is one of the first times we’ve been able to get some of our local projects funded. It was a collective effort between (Rep. Cheikh Taylor), (Sen. Bart Williams) and myself. However, this is a start not a finish. We will continue to ask for more money in the future, like with the Main Street project.” |
March 1, 2022: US News & World Report: Mississippi Remapping Diminishes Black Voices, NAACP Says
Black Democrats said Monday that the bill could squelch honest discussion of history. Democratic Rep. Cheikh Taylor of Starkville said it is “troublesome” and “egregious.” “In teaching history, do we sanitize it, or do we teach it as it was?” Taylor said. “Is this bill meant to throw red meat to the far right?”
Mar 1, 2022: Jackson Free Press: Mississippi House Panel OKs Limits on Teaching About Race
The bill moves to the full House for more debate in coming weeks. Republicans also hold a majority there, and Speaker Philip Gunn has said passing such a bill is a priority.Black Democrats said Monday that the bill could squelch honest discussion of history. Democratic Rep. Cheikh Taylor of Starkville said it is “troublesome" and “egregious.”
“In teaching history, do we sanitize it, or do we teach it as it was?" Taylor said. "Is this bill meant to throw red meat to the far right?”
Oct 9, 2022: The Dispatch: New group presses Oktibbeha supes to fund homeless shelter
State Rep. Cheikh Taylor (D, Starkville) approached Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Eddie Peasant a few weeks ago about the potential sale of the Sixteenth Section Land that encompasses the former West Oktibbeha County High School located in Maben. Taylor and Van Halsema visited the property soon after to observe the condition and layout of the old school.
Dec 12, 2020: Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District: SOCSD issues devices for students
Dr. Leanne Long speaks with state representatives Cheikh Taylor and Rob Roberson about the Chromebooks and what they will offer to the district.
March 18, 2020: MPB: Advocates Say Daycare Must Be Funding Priority
House Democrat Cheikh Taylor of Starkville owns a daycare center. He says the federal government provides a voucher program to help low-income families pay for daycare. But the state department of human services has to match the funds. In 2016 Taylor says DHS returned $13 million to the feds saying state budget cuts left it unable to pay the match.
"That match requirement is very important and so the next question is why didn't we do it? Well it's because of political will. You have to vote in people who are sympathetic to children and families," said Taylor.
Black Democrats said Monday that the bill could squelch honest discussion of history. Democratic Rep. Cheikh Taylor of Starkville said it is “troublesome” and “egregious.” “In teaching history, do we sanitize it, or do we teach it as it was?” Taylor said. “Is this bill meant to throw red meat to the far right?”
Mar 1, 2022: Jackson Free Press: Mississippi House Panel OKs Limits on Teaching About Race
The bill moves to the full House for more debate in coming weeks. Republicans also hold a majority there, and Speaker Philip Gunn has said passing such a bill is a priority.Black Democrats said Monday that the bill could squelch honest discussion of history. Democratic Rep. Cheikh Taylor of Starkville said it is “troublesome" and “egregious.”
“In teaching history, do we sanitize it, or do we teach it as it was?" Taylor said. "Is this bill meant to throw red meat to the far right?”
Oct 9, 2022: The Dispatch: New group presses Oktibbeha supes to fund homeless shelter
State Rep. Cheikh Taylor (D, Starkville) approached Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Superintendent Eddie Peasant a few weeks ago about the potential sale of the Sixteenth Section Land that encompasses the former West Oktibbeha County High School located in Maben. Taylor and Van Halsema visited the property soon after to observe the condition and layout of the old school.
Dec 12, 2020: Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District: SOCSD issues devices for students
Dr. Leanne Long speaks with state representatives Cheikh Taylor and Rob Roberson about the Chromebooks and what they will offer to the district.
March 18, 2020: MPB: Advocates Say Daycare Must Be Funding Priority
House Democrat Cheikh Taylor of Starkville owns a daycare center. He says the federal government provides a voucher program to help low-income families pay for daycare. But the state department of human services has to match the funds. In 2016 Taylor says DHS returned $13 million to the feds saying state budget cuts left it unable to pay the match.
"That match requirement is very important and so the next question is why didn't we do it? Well it's because of political will. You have to vote in people who are sympathetic to children and families," said Taylor.
Dec 11, 2017: Super Talk: Taylor, Ford sworn in as Representatives
Monday morning, Cheikh Taylor and Kevin Ford were sworn into the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Both were elected during special elections in November.
Nov 3, 2017: The Dispatch: Update: Taylor files finance report for Dist. 38 campaign after missing deadline
District 38 state representative candidate Cheikh Taylor had still not filed his required campaign finance report as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
Taylor missed the Tuesday reporting deadline, and The Dispatch received an email from Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s office Thursday noting the report had still not arrived.
August 5, 2017: The Dispatch: Taylor announces bid for District 38 House seat
The field for the vacant Mississippi House of Representatives’ District 38 seat grew to three contenders Friday as Cheikh Taylor, the executive director of the nonprofit Brickfire Project, announced his candidacy.
Taylor will face former Starkville Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn and fashion model-turned-community activist Narissa Bradford in the Nov. 7 non-partisan, special election.
District 38’s seat became vacant after former Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, retired this summer to spend more time with his family.
The district covers portions of Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties.
Monday morning, Cheikh Taylor and Kevin Ford were sworn into the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Both were elected during special elections in November.
Nov 3, 2017: The Dispatch: Update: Taylor files finance report for Dist. 38 campaign after missing deadline
District 38 state representative candidate Cheikh Taylor had still not filed his required campaign finance report as of Thursday afternoon, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
Taylor missed the Tuesday reporting deadline, and The Dispatch received an email from Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s office Thursday noting the report had still not arrived.
August 5, 2017: The Dispatch: Taylor announces bid for District 38 House seat
The field for the vacant Mississippi House of Representatives’ District 38 seat grew to three contenders Friday as Cheikh Taylor, the executive director of the nonprofit Brickfire Project, announced his candidacy.
Taylor will face former Starkville Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn and fashion model-turned-community activist Narissa Bradford in the Nov. 7 non-partisan, special election.
District 38’s seat became vacant after former Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, retired this summer to spend more time with his family.
The district covers portions of Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties.