WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE REPUBLICAN FAMILY KEEPS GROWING

(Jackson, MS)--The Mississippi Republican Party is proud to announce the near-sweep of victories in yesterday's runoff elections in a series of legislative special elections around the state.

Lydia Graves Chassaniol held on to the Republican seat left empty by the late Senator Bunky Huggins in Senate District 14. She defeated Hiram Eastland with a strong 58% of the vote.

Former Representative Joey Fillingane picked up the late Billy Harvey's (D) Senate seat in Senate District 41. Joey has served two terms in the Mississippi House of Representatives and served as President of the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition. He will prove to be a strong conservative leader in the Senate.

And in the November 7 elections, Steven Palazzo held the Republican seat vacated by former Representative Leonard Bentz, when he was appointed by Governor Barbour as Public Service Commissioner for the Southern District.

"Despite the victories of Democrats on the national level, I'm proud that we re-elected our conservative leaders Chip Pickering, Roger Wicker, and Senator Trent Lott - and these victories on the local level reiterate that conservative Mississippians are alive and well," stated Chairman Jim Herring,.

Two additional special elections will be held for the House seat vacated by Virginia Carlton, who was elected to the Court of Appeals, and Joey Fillingane, whose Senate victory leaves another empty House seat. Dates are to be determined.

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