The ever-changing ebb and flow of politics

To appreciate where we are politically, we need to remember where we have been.

In 1991, which is not ancient history, no Republican held any of Mississippi's eight statewide elected offices.

But then in that year's general election, Kirk Fordice defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Ray Mabus to become Mississippi's first Republican governor since the Reconstruction Era ended in 1876 (now that is ancient history).

In that same election, Eddie Briggs defeated incumbent Democratic Lt. Gov. Brad Dye to become the state's first Republican lieutenant governor - and presiding officer of the state Senate - since, you guessed it, 1876.

How remarkable were those GOP victories?

Well, not only were Republicans not accustomed to holding statewide office prior to 1991, they were not even in the habit of running for statewide office.

In five of the other six statewide races in 1991, the Democratic candidates did not have any opposition, Republican or otherwise. Dick Molpus was unopposed for Secretary of State. Mike Moore was unopposed for Attorney General. Steve Patterson was unopposed for State Auditor. Marshall Bennett was unopposed for State Treasurer. And Jim Buck Ross was unopposed for Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

Other than governor and lieutenant governor, the only statewide office sought by a Republican was Commissioner of Insurance, but David Lee Anderson's challenge was easily met by Democratic incumbent George Dale.

But the GOP's moment of glory soon faded.

By 2001, only one Republican would be left in charge of an executive department of state government: Phil Bryant. Bryant, now lieutenant governor-elect, had been appointed State Auditor by Fordice in 1996 and was the sole Republican elected to statewide office in 1999.

But this year, not only did the Republican Party field competitive candidates for all eight statewide offices, the GOP had incumbents running for re-election in three of them.

In January, when Tuesday's winners are sworn in, there will be only one Democrat among them: Attorney General Jim Hood.

Some are rushing to judgment about this political shift, particularly those delivering eulogies for the Democratic Party.

But this tide could turn.

Voters did deny Democratic candidates access to most of the state's executive positions. But they also rallied behind many more Democratic candidates for seats in the Legislature.

Tuesday did not mark the death of one party, but reflected the natural ebb and flow of two.