Phil Bryant elected

Republican Phil Bryant has been declared winner of the lieutenant govenror's race. Bryant has led this race from the beginning over Democrat Jamie Franks. Franks, a state representative from Mooreville, was not known and when people encountered him in this campaign, he was complaining about Haley Barbour more than talking about himself. Bryant is well liked. He ran as a "nice guy" and he is a nice guy. It comes across. He is sincere. Bryant's rise in politics has been interesting. It wasn't long ago that he was a deputy sheriff in Rankin County, then a legislator. His appointment to the state auditor position by former Gov. Kirk Fordice opened up a career that probably would not have happened otherwise. Such is the luck of politics. His new job will challenge him unlike he has been challenged before in public life. Special interests will come at him from all sides. He inherits a divided Senate. It's a tough job. Bryant was a good state auditor because he is fair and trusted his own instincts. He will do well if he does the same as lieutenant governor.