By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
July 13, 2003
State Rep. Bobby Moody, D-Louisville, is not only campaigning for re-election he also is waging a bid to become the next speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Moody, 61, has served in the House since 1984 and as chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee since 1991. Now, he's eying the speaker's office held by retiring state Rep. Tim Ford, D-Baldwyn.
Moody meets Douglas A. Lovorn of Louisville and Linda Marshall Triplett of McCool in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary.
The winner will meet Republican Kenny Ray Dempsey and independent Harvey Love Darden, both of Louisville, in the Nov. 4 general election.
The speaker, considered by many as the most powerful elected job in Mississippi, oversees the 122-member state House. He is elected from among House members at the start of each four-year term.
Among other things, the speaker appoints House committees that consider and craft legislation. He also has the power to decide which proposals reach the full House for debate.
The current speaker is from Baldwyn, and the chairmen of the budget and tax-writing committees are from the Delta and North Mississippi. Moody said East Central Mississippi has lacked political clout.