State Legislative Chambers in LA, MS, and VA

[smoltchanov]

Well, the difference with the past is that party-switchers from Democrats to Republicans in Deep South in the past were very conservative Democrats, undistinguishable in their voting records from conservative Republicans (sometimes - even more conservative), while last party switchers (like state Senator and state Representative in Mississippi, who switched after recent election) are, essentially, white centrists (at least - by that state standards). That's may be very troubling future tendency for party. I easily see about quarter of 22 (by majorityinms.com count) white Democratic members of Mississippi House switching during this 4-year legislative term, both because of conservatism of some of them and desire to be in majority of other. The same, essentially, took place in Louisiana during last (2008-2011) electoral term... The Democtatic party in Deep South rapidly becomes "Black party" with some whites from big urban or university areas in addition....