CLARKSDALE — Wayne Dowdy offered one simple, pointed message Wednesday night: The Mississippi Democratic Party is headed in a new direction thanks to the personal and financial support of its members and contributors.
Dowdy, chairman of the state party and a former Mississippi congressman, promised success this fall with the re-election of Democrats Bennie Thompson and Gene Taylor to the U.S. House and aggressive campaigns for open seats in the Mississippi Legislature.
“And we’ve got a candidate for the U.S. Senate that will mess up Trent Lott’s hair,” Dowdy said, referring to state Rep. Erik Fleming - the party nominee who is challenging Lott, a Republican who has held the Senate seat since 1989.
Dowdy’s comments highlighted a fundraiser for the Mississippi Democratic Party, an event held at the Ground Zero Blues Club in historic downtown Clarksdale. The club is owned by award-winning actor Morgan Freeman and friend Bill Luckett.
Freeman, Luckett and more than 200 other Democratic Party supporters from the Mississippi Delta and across the state attended the fundraiser. Others present included Attorney General Jim Hood, Secretary of State Eric Clark and former Govs. William Winter and Ronnie Musgrove.
Also attending were several key legislators as well as state House candidate Linda Whittington, who is running in the November special election to fill the seat left open by the death of state Rep. May Whittington of Schlater. Linda is May’s cousin.
The Clarksdale fundraiser was the first of several the party hopes to hold in each of the state’s four congressional districts. Other fundraiser dates and locations have not been determined.
Fleming, who attended the fundraiser after making a campaign stop in Rolling Fork earlier in the day, said in brief remarks at the event that it’s time for Republicans to back down.
“It’s time-out for the Old Party,” he said. “They’re not ‘Grand’ anymore.”
While folks often talk about immigration problems, he said, Mississippi has its own emigration problems — with college graduates often leaving the state for other opportunities. It’s time to stop that, he said, by making Mississippi a better place to live.
Dowdy congratulated Democrats in the Mississippi Legislature for staunchly supporting such issues as public education and fair taxes.
And the party chairman also joked with Freeman. While traveling to Clarksdale for the party fundraiser, Dowdy said, he began thinking about what happened in California when actor Arnold Schwarzenegger became that state’s 38th governor in November 2003.
“If the Republicans in California can do it, then the Democrats in Mississippi can,” Dowdy said as laughs and cheers filled the Ground Zero Blues Club. “Ladies and gentlemen, the governor of Mississippi, Morgan Freeman.
“He certainly can play the role better than Haley Barbour.”
Local News
Dowdy: Party on right track
- Local News
-
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
-
Morning update for, Friday, May 25, 2012
-
Celebrating Jimmie
- Feed your mind at Nexus Hero Brown Bag Lunch
-
Man faces kidnapping charges
-
Classroom Visit
-
The Drought Is Over
All Mason Irby was hoping for was to find a way on base.
The Southeast Lauderdale sophomore did that and so much more. Irby's single with two outs in the seventh inning broke a tie, lifting the Tigers to a 6-3 MHSAA Class 3A state championship win at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday, and handing Southeast (32-7) its first title since 1966. -
Ronald McDonald House charity event scheduled
A 54-hole golf tournament is coming to Briarwood Country Club on June 26-29. The Emerald Coast Golf Tour will hold their Pro-Am Classic here in Meridian, but in addition to this all proceeds will go to a great cause – The Ronald McDonald House.
-
UBS in urgent need of blood
Due to unforeseen circumstances this month, United Blood Services has had some drives cancel, leaving the local hospitals at a critical shortage of blood.
- More Local News Headlines
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
