I hope this article finds you well and that all had a happy and healthy 4th of July.

Nationally, there are 36 Senate races on the ballot in 2014. To win the majority, Republicans would have to score a net gain of six seats.

On the midterm races this year, many have the opinion that the GOP will gain seats in South Dakota, Montana, and West Virginia.

There are several “toss up “states as well. Louisiana is considered a “toss-up” state.

However, it is doubtful that Mary Landreau’s seat is in serious peril.

Veteran political handicapper Charles E. Cook, Jr. says there is a 60% chance the GOP could take over the Senate.  (Cookpolitical.com) However, little movement is expected in the U.S. House as the Republican Party gleaned most potential seats in the previous election.

Statewide, the general election for the U.S. Senate seat is growing near as Mississippi is embroiled in a potential contested runoff election being driven by the McDaniel’s campaign.

Lawyers for State Senator McDaniel held a press conference July 17th in Jackson and stated they would be filing a lawsuit to contest the election within the next ten days, but again refused to release any information about the alleged voter fraud.

Several lawsuits against Circuit Clerks have been filed by the McDaniel’s campaign.

Frustration levels grow among the Republican Party leaders awaiting the presentation of any evidence of election improprieties.

Mississippi  Republican  Party Chairman Joe Nosef reports the McDaniel’s campaign has not shown him any evidence of voter fraud and he expects them to be finished with the inquiry  soon.

Nosef, however, is upset with social media bloggers and McDaniel’s supporters for making inflammatory statements which are hurting the party and state. “It’s hard to walk back words like stolen and sham” he told Paul Gallo on the Gallo radio show on July 17th. (Ya’ll politics, July 17, 2014).

As Republicans, we are looking for closure of this challenge so we can focus on the general election in November.

Locally, there will be a City Council meeting held on August 5, 2014 at 5pm at the Picayune City Hall, located at 203 Goodyear Blvd.

For further information call 601-798-9770.

The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors will meet on August 4, 2014 from 9am-12pm.

The meeting will be held at the Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville in the Supervisors Board Room. For further information please call 601-403-2300.

By Bonnie Holland