A political science professor isn't surprised that Republicans, for the first time since Reconstruction, have a majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives.</STORYLEAD>
<STORYBODY>Dr. Glenn Antizzo at
Mississippi College in Clinton says the recent Republican victory reflects a trend that is sweeping the South, "and that is that the South is realizing that the party that is more in alignment with its naturally conservative views is the Republican Party. Ronald Reagan made a connection with Southern voters [in 1980] that has not been broken since," he notes.
The New York native adds that Southerners are staying true to their values, and "the Democratic Party has largely walked away from the things that Southerners cherish, [taking] a dramatic turn to the left. And that's something I think Southerners largely reject," the political science professor suggests.
Republicans will control at least 62 of the 122 seats in the House when the legislature convenes January 3, and the Republican caucus is in the process of choosing its nominee for House speaker -- a post last held by one of its party members nearly 140 years ago. Mississippi has elected three Republican governors since Reagan, yet never had full GOP control of the legislature and governor's office following Reconstruction.
Historical shift in Mississippi
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Originally Posted by MtnBiker
