Everything about Mississippi State Senate totally explained
The
Mississippi Senate is the
upper house of the
Mississippi Legislature, the
state legislature of the
U.S. state of
Mississippi. The Senate is composed of 52 Senators representing an equal amount of constituent districts, with 54,704 people per district (2000 figures). Senators serve four-year terms with no
term limits.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal
U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state
cabinet, commissions and boards.
The Senate convenes in the
State Capitol in
Jackson.
Senate defined by law
According to the current
Mississippi Constitution of
1890, the Senate is to be composed of no more than 52 members elected for four-year terms. Elections to the Senate are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during the state general elections.
Leadership of the Senate
The
Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi serves as the
President of the Senate, but only casts a legislative vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the
President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The
President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. Unlike other upper houses in
state legislatures, the
President Pro Tempore's power is limited. The Lieutenant Governor has the sole ability to appoint the chairmanships or vice chairmanships of various Senate committees, regardless of party size. The other Senate
majority and
minority leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.
The President of the Senate is
Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant. The
President Pro Tempore is
Democratic Billy Hewes III.
Composition
Although the
Democratic party retained their majority (27D to 25R) in the state Senate after the 2003 general election, a
party switch by former Democratic Senator, James Shannon Walley of
Leakesville threw control of the chamber to the
Republicans. Walley was elected as a Democrat in
2003 to represent District 43, which includes George, Greene, Stone, and Wayne counties, then announced he was switching parties and won re-election as a Republican. Because the Lieutenant Governor,
Amy Tuck, is a Republican (and also a previous
party switcher), this gave Republicans control of the Senate for the first time since
Reconstruction and a defacto majority only when voting is strictly tied.
Until January 2008, the Senate contained 25
Democrats and 27
Republicans. Democrats enjoyed a net gain of three seats in the
November 6,
2007 statewide elections and won back control of the chamber by a 28-24 margin until Senator Nolan Mettetal announced his party switch in February, 2008. The Senate balance is now 27-25, with the Democrats holding the slim majority.
Members of the Mississippi Senate (2008-2011)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Mississippi State Senate'.
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