Mississippi Showdown to Make or Break Democratic Winning Streak

By Rachel Kapochunas
CQ Staff

Democratic and Republican top party officials may be more focused on Mississippi tonight than on the West Virginia presidential primary. After all, the primary’s outcome is already predicted, while the outcome of the Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District special election is much less certain.

If Travis W. Childers, a Prentiss County Chancery Clerk, beats Republican Greg Davis, mayor of Southaven, wins Tuesday’s election, he would be the third Democrat in recent weeks to take over a Republican-held seat. Democrat Bill Foster , a scientist and businessman, won Illinois’ 14th District seat on March 8. The seat was formerly represented by Republican J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House. On May 3, Democratic state Rep. Don Cazayoux won a Republican-held seat in Lousiana’s 6th District.

Democrats argue that dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, high gas prices and other policies tied to President Bush and the national party are contributing to Democratic strength in these districts. They are quick to paint their special election wins as indicative of a national trend that favors their party.

But Davis campaign manager Ted Prill said Monday that this race is no bellwether and that the only thing this race has in common with the previous two contests is that they are special elections.

(Continued here.)