Jackson Jambalaya

Y'all Politics recently published a list of "up and coming" Republicans. It included notables such as Phillip Gunn, Chris McDaniel, and Quentin Whitwell. It was a nice attempt at providing some pr for the GOP but well, I didn't think it was too particularly well-informed. I thought I would put my money where my mouth is and come up with my own list. These are not ranked so don't read too much into their position.

1. Lynn Fitch. Used family money to beat the money of the bond cartel. The Treasurer is the first Republican woman to aggressively court Republican women on a statewide level. She reaches out to them and they know it. She's holding fund-raisers and making it clear she has future plans and will not be a one-and-done politician.

2. Chris McDaniel. Lugar and Bennett went down and Hatch had to work hard to keep his Senate seat even though he won by a comfortable margin. Cruz stands a good chance of beating the Texas Lieutenant Governor. Its no secret many conservatives are fed up with deficits and pork barrel spending. Throw in the fact Senator Thad Cochran replaced Ted Stephens as the king of GOP pork, and there is a sentiment among the Tea Party and other conservatives to challenge the first Republican Senator from Mississippi. McDaniel is playing to all the conservative groups and making his name known around the state. The question will be funding. If McDaniel can nationalize the race and bring in money from conservatives nationwide (See Niki Haley in S. Carolina), he could obtain the funding to make a serious run while other Republican office-holders refuse to run out of deference to Thad.

3. Phil Fisher. He has made a name for himself on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors as someone who is a fiscal conservative and not afraid to stand up to the Democrats on the board. He is running for Mayor of Clinton and retires from military service Thursday with the rank of Brigadier General. He is still relatively young and would be the Mayor of a GOP stronghold if he wins. Much more of an up and comer than a certain Clarke Reed Republican that sits on the Jackson City Council.

4. Anthony Lawrence. The District Attorney for the Greene, George, and Jackson counties. Although from the coast, he is the current president of the state prosecutors' association. As Y'all stated, he is tough on cybercrime and showed dogged determination in prosecuting the Shaeffer case, the only case in the Catch a Predator sting operation in Byram that sent someone to jail. Well-respected by his peers and politicians alike, he must be considered to be a serious candidate for Attorney General if he decides to run.

5. Arthur Johnston. The Madison County Chancery Clerk is known for his intelligence and integrity. He is regarded by many as the best chancery clerk in Mississippi. He led the way in bringing technology to his office and chancery clerks statewide. He helped create the electronic court filing system that is being implemented statewide. If either Delbert or Lynn runs for another office, look for Mr. Johnston to announce his candidacy.

6. Mark Baker. An influx of new leadership in the House allowed the Rankin County attorney to assume a strong presence this year. He and Senator Josh Harkins did the heavy lifting in winning passage of several bills pertaining to the Reservoir area. He makes the Republican rounds, he's holding fund-raisers, and he's looking at running for Attorney General. He carries a more aggressive style than past GOP contenders for Jim Hood's spot but doesn't have the mule-headed nature of a certain past GOP candidate.

7. Rebekah Staples. Not an elected official but policy analyst for Governor Barbour and then Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves. She recently moved to the Governmental section at Butler Snow. Known as a highly intelligent operator, she will be someone to watch in future administrations. One of those people who may never make the newspapers but is always at the top as she is usually smarter than those around her.

8. Parks McNabb. No relation to Donovan and when not performing national security functions at Fenians, is Tate's right-hand man. He and the Lieutenant Governor are fast becoming known as a team more and more every month. Another Haley lieutenant who is advancing in the ranks. He will probably be like Rebekah, never elected to office but someone who can not be ignored.

9. Greg Snowden. There has to be a bulldog in the House and Greg Snowden is that man. Although he has been in the legislature for years, the ascension to power by Republicans allowed him to move into the spotlight and show what he can do. He worked under a speaker who was new to the job, showed his mastery of rules and procedure, something needed if one is to battle the Cecil Browns of the legislature. Fair but firm is the perfect description for the man from Meridian. Mr. Snowden is also not afraid to use social media and the regular media to fight Democrats and promote his message. He will be a true power in the legislature for some time to come.

10. Wow. Who should be tenth? Get ready: Billy Hewes. Yup. Billy Hewes. No longer working under someone else in the legislature, Billy Hewes now gets to be his own man in running for Mayor of Gulport. Its a job that fits him perfectly. He loves the coast and his business background will be an asset to Gulfport. He is still fairly young and with kids still in school, he will likely hold that job for at least two terms if he wins next year. He will be one of the leading GOP Mayors in Mississippi.

Honorable mention: Becky Currie, Michael Guest, Andy Gipson, Pamela Weaver, Amile Wilson, Scott Delano

There you have it. Fire away and tell me who I ignored.