Jackson Jambalaya

The redistricting battle in the Senate took an unusual twist when it killed the House's plan. While the media focuses on the battle between the two chambers, it ignores the civil war brewing in the Senate. The Kingfish has spoken to numerous sources, insiders, political operatives, you name in an effort to find out what is really taking place in body.

Mr. Bryant tasked a committee several years ago with drawing new district lines. The committee was split 50/50 in terms of Republicans and Democrats as it was deemed to hard to subdivide it among Ole Miss, USM, MSU, and JSU factions. Quite a few Republicans raised hell over this action by the Lieutenant Governor as they wanted a Republican-dominated committee (similar to Billy McCoy loading his committee with Democrats). He chose Mr. Burton to head the committee.

What took place was not a chairman working hand-in-hand with Mr. Byrant but instead a chairman who did an end run. Sources inform JJ Mr. Burton drew up the plan with Senator Hob Bryan and then obtained signatures from a majority of the Senate. This was somewhat of a surprise to Mr. Bryant. The plan was changed to include a majority-black district in the Hattiesburg area after several Senators complained about the lack of such a district in the plan. Needless to say, the plan was not what Mr. Bryant quite had in mind but Mr. Burton won this round as he beat him to the punch.

Mr. Bryant did have his own plan, which no one saw, and is now forced to ignore the plan produced by his own chairman. More than a few people have criticized Mr. Burton's plan and not just for the fact it creates the majority-black Hattiesburg district. The plan also royally screws over Clinton and Madison. Clinton and Madison do not get their own districts but are instead divided in ways that seriously dilute their voting population. 75% of Senator Walter Michel's district (25) is now in Madison County. More than a few Madison residents have loudly complained to The Kingfish about the fact Madison County does not get its own district. To say they are outraged is an understatement. The Kingfish heard the same complaints from the Clinton area as numerous precincts were herded into the districts of Hillman Frazier and John Horhn. Several potential challengers were moved out of the districts where they intended to challenge current incumbents. Senator Burton's plan

Senator Byrant tabled Mr. Burton's plan and is going to substitute his own. Sources inform The Kingfish Mr. Burton intends to offer his plan as an amendment from the floor. What is interesting is the spectacle of Mr. Byrant refusing the plan submitted by his chairman. Did Mr. Burton blow off the Lieutenant Governor in sudden display of lameduckititis or did the two work together only to find there was more objection to the plan they they imagined? The Dennis people argue it shows Mr. Bryant is weak and is unable to control his own chairman, who backstabbed him. Others argue Mr. Bryant is showing some leadership by tossing his wayward chairman's plan and passing his own. However, the question must be asked exactly why Mr. Burton and Mr. Bryant disagreed on the plan in the first place when Mr. Bryant appointed him.

Stay tuned.