Reports of Mississippi Democrats’ death have been an exaggeration.

In recent years, we were considered a lost cause, leaving many to wonder if we would ever get our act together. Tonight’s elections prove that Democrats will compete and win in Mississippi.

By picking up mayoral seats in Tupelo and Meridian, and retaining seats in Starkville, Oxford, Vicksburg, Clarksdale, Booneville, Bay St. Louis, and Ocean Springs, (to name a few) Mississippi Democrats are putting points back on the board.

Thanks to a stronger message, better candidates, and greater organization in cities and counties across the state, Mississippi Democrats will continue offering a contrast to the state’s tea party Republican establishment.

Tonight was a very important and exciting night.  The work will continue!  Let’s get to it!

If I had to pick a single reason that I’m a Democrat, I’d chalk it up to genetics — specifically, the two of mine labeled “XX”. It’s perfectly clear to me which party values my competence and my achievements, and which party sees my value as defined primarily by my reproductive history.

In Mississippi, we’re fortunate that our Republican politicians routinely provide helpful reminders of this stark difference in attitudes, just in case we grow forgetful. Today’s comments from Gov. Phil Bryant, blaming American educational issues on “The mom got in the workplace”, is just another sad example of the pervasiveness of GOP thinking that women belong in the home.

Mississippi is home to more single mothers than any other state, and more of those families fall below the poverty line. It’s more important here than anywhere else in the nation to provide opportunities for women. We need our bright and capable girls to become teachers to help all of our children succeed in school, and to be doctors and dentists and nurses to improve our woeful health outcomes. We need them to start small businesses to grow our state’s economy, and yes, to run for office to bring our perspectives to government. Most of all, we need not to automatically leave half of our state’s talent and energy behind at home.

Most women have young children for only a relatively small percentage of their working lives, eight or ten years at most between the birth of the oldest and the start of school for the youngest. If we encourage women to make decisions about their future based solely on those few years of intensive parenthood — or penalize them for it in ways that impact their entire careers — we’re wasting the potential those women have to offer Mississippi.

I’m so proud to be a wife and a mother. Becoming the latter wasn’t easy for me, and I could easily have chosen to give up and fill my life in other ways. The dream of a family meant enough to me to keep hanging on until it finally came to pass, and I never forget how blessed and proud I am to have my children. However, I’m just as proud to be a mother who is also a computer programmer and a political advocate.

As a computer programmer, it’s doubly important to me to be a role model for other women in technology. I’m used to being the only female developer in the room, and part of the reason I stay in that room now is to save some spots for younger women. If we don’t encourage women by example to thrive in STEM fields, we’re leaving behind enormous untapped resources of talent and creativity. Just ask Dr. Hannah Gay, the pioneering Mississippi doctor who has gained worldwide attention for her groundbreaking HIV research. How many potential Dr. Gays decided not to go to medical school because they thought they couldn’t balance it with their family goals? How many teenage girls will now be inspired by her accomplishments, and what will they contribute to the world?

My children don’t remember a time when Mama hasn’t worked, and they have only vague memories of the days before Mama was also working to help women and families. I don’t just tell them that women have unlimited potential — I work every day to show them how to use their own potential. I was raised with my own working mother’s example to show me I could and should make a difference in other people’s lives. Now, I’m teaching my own daughters and my son that in our family, making the world a better place isn’t a gender-specific occupation, or one that’s off-limits for mothers.

Phil Bryant’s Republican Party wants a world where women follow traditional gender roles and put their energies primarily into raising their families. As a woman and a Democrat, I want to live in a world where both men and women work to fulfill their greatest potential. For some of us, that means being a full-time parent, or a part-time job that balances family. For others, it means working to take care of our economic needs, or having a demanding career that benefits society. Sometimes it means different things at different times in our lives. One thing is certain, though: our capabilities aren’t exclusively determined by X or Y chromosomes, and neither are our families’ needs. Our opportunities shouldn’t be, either.

Ultimately, my children know I love them and do my best for them, even if the laundry isn’t always folded and the cupcakes for the class party come from Kroger and I’m not home in time for dinner. And when they tell me, as my daughter Claire did last week, that they want to grow up and be just like me, then I know I’m doing my most important job right.

May has been an invigorating month for Mississippi Democrats.  All across the state, your Mississippi Democratic Party has been on offense against the tea party Republican leadership of city halls from Southaven to Ocean Springs.

Tuesday, June 4, is the general election for our municipal races.  If you have friends in Pearl, Tupelo, Meridian, Starkville, or Ocean Springs, make sure they show up to vote and have their voices heard!

On May 9, Rankin Democrats hosted a Democrats on Tap happy hour at Hal and Mal’s.  We were fortunate to have Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole update us on the status of our municipal elections.  Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for taking time to join us!

May 23 was an exciting day for Rankin County Democrats.  Our county executive committee met an elected Sandra Foote to be our Vice Chairman and Ron McLaughlin as our Parliamentarian.  Joining us on the committee are David Carr, Susan Weatherholt, and Lorenzo Evans.  Congratulations to all!  We look forward to working with you as we move Rankin County and Mississippi forward!

Here are a few reminders about our upcoming events:

• Join us on Saturday, June 1, for our Breakfast with Democrats at the Flowood Corner Bakerynear Dick’s Sporting Goods.  Come hear the updates on our municipal elections and Medicaid expansion and how you can help.
• Also, the Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women is having its meeting on June 1 at theState Capitol Building in downtown Jackson.  This meeting will be to elect officers for the upcoming term.  Please join if you can.  Find out more information HERE.
• The Rankin County Federation of Democratic Women is having its Sunday Tea on June 23 at the Eurora Welty Library.  You can find ticket information and more details HERE.

Again, make sure your friends, family, and coworkers get out and vote in their municipal elections onTuesday, June 4.  The tide is turning for Mississippi Democrats, and we need all hands on deck.

You can always donate to the Rankin County Democrats HERE.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

The Rankin County Democratic Executive Committee is excited to announce the election of two officers and the election of three new Committee members.

Sandra Foote was elected as our new Vice Chairperson, and Ron McLaughlin was elected to be our Parliamentarian.  These two bring a wealth of experience to their positions, and we are happy to have them in these important roles.

Joining the committee for the first time are Lorenzo Evans from District 4, David Carr from District 5, and Susan Weatherholt as an At-Large member.  These individuals have been tremendous volunteers, and their energy will be a great asset as we build a stronger Democratic Party in Mississippi.

Congratulations to all!  We look forward to working with you!

Election Day is quickly upon us!  This is an exciting time for Democrats across our state.  We have an opportunity to put points on the board for Mississippi Democrats, and we need your generosity to help our front line Democrats in the June 4 general election!

Will you donate $10, $20, or even $100 to help our Democrats win next month?

You can donate to a must-win race in Meridian with mayoral candidate Percy Bland leading the charge HERE.  Percy is challenging incumbent tea party Mayor Cheri Barry.

Contribute to one of our leading female Democrats, Ocean Spring Mayor Connie Moran, HERE.

Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman is moving his city forward with positive, energetic leadership.  You can donate to him HERE.

These candidates will help build a new generation of leadership for our state.  Please take a moment to donate $10, $20, or even $100 to these outstanding candidates.

Onward to victory Tuesday, June 4!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Greetings!

Election Day 2013 is quickly upon us.  We have terrific candidates running for municipal office in all corners of our state.  If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer and help our candidates to victory, please contact Jacqueline Amos-Norris, Mississippi Democratic Party Field Director, at [email protected] or 601-969-2913.  Every little bit goes a long way.  Onward to victory!  Election Day is Tuesday, June 4.

You can donate online today to help Rankin County Democrats by clicking here!

The Mississippi Democratic Party recently issued the first in an ongoing series of newsletters.  These are fantastic resources to help keep you informed of what is happening within your Mississippi Democratic Party.  In case you missed it, you can read it online here.  Be sure to check out their website atwww.mississippidemocrats.org.

Earlier this month, our friend Atlee Breland wrote a blog article about pay inequality in America.  Her piece found its way onto the pages of the Clarion-Ledger.  We are proud that Rankin County Democrats continue to lead on this critical issue.

Our Chairman had a Letter to the Editor published in the Clarion-Ledger that points out the Republican Party’s refusal to have an open and fair debate on Medicaid expansion in Mississippi.  You can read the letter here.

Below are upcoming events Rankin County Democrats are hosting.  We hope you, your family, and your friends will be able to participate.  Everyone is welcome!  Check out our calendar for more details on these and other events.

• Our monthly Breakfast with Democrats will be on Saturday, May 4, at the Flowood Corner Bakery from 8:30 am – 10:30 am.
• The Rankin County Federation of Democratic Women will hold its next meeting Tuesday, May 7, at the Pearl Library from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
• Rankin County Democrats are hosting a Democrats on Tap happy hour Thursday, May 9, at Hal and Mal’s from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
• The Rankin County Democratic Executive Committee is holding a special meeting Thursday, May 23, at Pearl City Hall from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.  We will have elections to fill vacancies on the Committee.

Please don’t forget to donate online to help out Rankin County Democrats!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Today, April 9, is Equal Pay Day, representing how far into 2013 an average woman must work to earn as much as the average man earned in 2012. Nationally, women’s earnings average 77 cents per dollar of male earnings. The statistics for women of color who work full-time are even worse: 64 cents per dollar for African American women, and only 55 cents per dollar for Hispanic women. Mississippi is ranked #46 in pay equity, and female earnings average just 73.5 cents per dollar of male earnings.

The wage gap isn’t just a women’s issue — it’s vitally important to the economic well-being of Mississippi families. We have more female-headed families than any other state in the nation, and just over 50% of them fall below the poverty line, including 17% whose female heads work full-time. Pay equity would raise their incomes by 33%, and lift many of these families out of poverty.

Even most two-parent families simply don’t have a financial choice about whether women will work, because they need both incomes to be economically stable. A two-parent family of four where one partner works full-time at $10/hour earns just $20,000 per year. For these families, women’s income is the difference between poverty and the middle class, and pay disparity hurts them too.

This isn’t about “entitlement”. By definition, pay equity is about leveling the playing field for people who are already working hard to get by. Nor is it about family or job choices: the pay gap exists even between men and women in the same career, affects mothers who continue to work full-time, and even impacts women without children. And while most mothers only have young children for a small portion of their working lives, the pay gap persists and even widens over the course of their careers.

As Democrats, we believe that working people ought to be paid according to their skills, not their gender. We’re proud of our party’s achievement in passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, despite opposition from most of Mississippi’s Congressional delegation. This year, we’re calling upon our representatives and senators to support the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 377/S. 84), which closes loopholes and strengthens penalties for employers who discriminate against female employees.

Pay equity isn’t just about fairness — it’s the right thing to do for families. We encourage you to contact Rep. Gregg Harper, Sen. Thad Cochran, and Sen. Roger Wicker to encourage them to support the Paycheck Fairness Act in 2013.

Another legislative session is in the books.  The Republican-controlled legislature pushed most of its agenda through while minority Democrats put up a loyal opposition.  Even though Democrats are currently in the minority, their influence cannot be ignored.

One of the biggest fights legislative Democrats took on this session was over the expansion of Medicaid.  In a state like Mississippi, there is no doubt that this is an issue worth debating.  According to independent estimates, thousands of Mississippians would obtain health insurance assistance, billions in federal dollars will come to the state, and hospitals would not be burdened with so much money lost in uncompensated care from treating individuals without health insurance coverage.

Earlier in the session, Governor Bryant announced that Mississippi will not expand Medicaid.  In his opinion, the state cannot afford to have thousands of additional Mississippians on the Medicaid rolls.  It should be noted that throughout his entire adult life, Governor Bryant has been a government employee and offered government-subsidized health insurance coverage.

House Minority Leader Bobby Moak (D-Bouge Chitto) made it clear that House Democrats wanted a debate and a vote on Medicaid expansion.  Win or lose, Moak wanted to take on the fight.  The response from Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Clinton): no deal.  Gunn refused to bring up a bill that would allow for an open debate on Medicaid expansion.  He suggested that proponents of Medicaid expansion do not have enough votes to pass it so it is a waste of time to even discuss it.

What is Speaker Gunn afraid of?  Is he afraid that he may be wrong?  Many of Gunn’s rank and file members represent areas where large hospitals reside.  Look no further than River Oaks Hospital and the University Medical Center to know that the entire Rankin County delegation would vote on a bill that could impact some of their constituents’ jobs.  Why would he want to put his members in a position to vote for a Democratic-supported bill that might pass?!

Three times this session, our legislative Democrats held firm to reject the strong-armed tactics of the Republicans.  Democrats insisted that until the Speaker and Governor agree to allow for a debate and vote, Democrats will use their leverage to fight for this critical issue.  Since Republicans failed to negotiate, a special session of the legislature is expected to take place in late June.  The agenda will certainly include Medicaid.

Democrats in the Mississippi legislature are more unified in a way we have not seen in a long time.  We should be grateful that they have the strength of their convictions to stand up and fight.

March has been an exciting month for Rankin County Democrats.  Our community presence is increasing and enthusiasm continues to rise.

On March 2, Democrats from across Mississippi convened in Jackson for a campaign seminar.  Speakers educated attendees on better ways to fundraise, use social media and new communication techniques, and how to organize grassroots supporters.

On March 5 and 7, we organized the Pearl and Brandon Democratic Municipal Committees.  These groups will help mobilize Democratic activity in their respective cities as we work to move the needle for Democrats in Rankin County.

Yesterday, Rankin Democrats co-hosted a new event called Democrats on Tap.  This was an opportunity for us to meet, have a refreshment, make some new friends, and network.  The response was tremendous!  It was wonderful to see so many new faces in the crowd.  Mississippi Democratic Trust Executive Director Brandon Jones and members of the legislative Democratic caucus were on hand to greet our guests.  We will continue to hold these events so be on the lookout for details.

Earlier this week, Rankin Democrats issued a press release calling out the Rankin County Board of Supervisors for granting a $12,000 annual pay raise to the county Tax Collector as well as additional raises to her staff.  In these economic times, it is inexcusable that some members of the Board made such a poor decision.

A letter to the editor was submitted and was published in the Clarion-Ledger on March 9.  In the letter, Rankin Democrats called out the hypocrisy of Senator Wicker’s position on the sequester.  A rebuttal was issued by a defender of the senator’s.

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors is holding a public hearing on county precinct redistricting.  The hearing will be held in the supervisors board room Monday, April 1, at 9:00 am.  You can find the proposed map here.  Data show that there may be changes coming to precincts in areas such as Flowood, Pearl, Crossgates, and Park Place.  Please attend this important hearing, if your schedule allows.

Our monthly breakfast will be at the Flowood Corner Bakery on Saturday, April 6, at 8:30 am.  Everyone is welcome to attend!  We hope to see you there!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Rankin County Democrats denounce the recent action taken by the Rankin County Board of Supervisors in allowing a pay raise for certain county employees.

At their March 15 meeting, the Board granted a $12,000 annual salary increase for the Tax Collector and additional pay raises for her staff while wages for hard-working Rankin County residents stagnate.

The Board recently elected to raise taxes arguing that the county does not have the resources necessary to balance its budget.  It is inconceivable that some members of the Board would raise taxes and give pay raises without bearing in mind the hardships faced by those who pinch pennies to make ends meet and do not have the ability to raise their salaries with the stroke of a pen.

Rankin County Democrats call upon the Board to reverse this misguided decision.  In these tough economic times, it was a bad call by the Board and the Tax Collector to hold themselves to a different standard for the work they perform on behalf of the voters and taxpayers of Rankin County.