Carmichael, Burton keep seats in state Senate

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Nov. 5, 2003
Running on his seniority and his desire to serve, Republican Videt Carmichael of Meridian won a second term in the state Senate on Tuesday, defeating independent Gilford F. Dabbs III of Quitman.
With all 61 precincts reporting, Carmichael received 11,265 votes, or 61 percent, while Dabbs had 7,168 votes or 39 percent. Carmichael represents District 33.
The Senate district includes all of Clarke County, which was rocked over the past two years with large job losses due to several manufacturing plants that closed. The district also includes a large part of Lauderdale County.
Both candidates focused on jobs as their top priority.
Carmichael campaigned that he would be in a better position to help the district upon re-election because, with about one-fifth of the current state senators not returning, he could build seniority quicker.
Top priority
Carmichael said bringing quality jobs to the district will continue to be his main goal.
Carmichael said the Republican swing for statewide offices shows that Mississippi is mostly a conservative state. Carmichael, like District 31 state Sen. Terry C. Burton, R-Newton, changed political parties last year from Democrat to Republican.
Burton also won re-election by a large majority, and he called Tuesday's election historic. District 31 covers all of Newton County and part of Scott and Lauderdale counties
Strong support
Burton said he felt good over the strong show of support he received. He faced two opponents Democrat Jason Mangum of Newton and independent Luke Gibbon of Hickory.
With all precincts reporting, Burton received 10,915 votes, or 62 percent; Mangum received 6,121 votes, or 35 percent; and Gibbon received 514 votes or 3 percent. Burton called Mangum and Gibbon worthy opponents.
Other incumbents came out on top in area state Senate races.
With all 67 precincts reporting, District 32 Sen. Sampson Jackson, D-DeKalb, received 10,278 votes, or 61 percent, while his challenger, Republican John White of Kemper County, had 6,440 votes, or 39 percent.
And in District 18, with all 83 precincts reporting, state Sen. Gloria Williamson, D-Philadelphia, received 9,882 votes, or 54 percent, while her challenger, Republican Don Fulton of Philadelphia, had 8,584 votes, or 46 percent.