Miss. Democratic Party to get new leaders

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Democratic Party will meet Saturday to elect its new leaders. Former state Rep. Jamie Franks of Mooreville is the only person who has publicly announced as a candidate for the party chairmanship. The current chairman, former U.S. Rep. Wayne Dowdy of Magnolia, said earlier this year that he wouldnt seek the position again. Franks is an attorney and was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2007. He lost that race to Republican Phil Bryant. The 80-member state Democratic Executive Committee will elect the chairman and other officers. The group will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday the Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Jackson.