Enough votes in close Mississippi races for the House of Representatives have been counted now to say that the Republicans will control that chamber next session. From an Associated Press story:
A majority of the Mississippi House of Representatives will be Republican for the first time since Reconstruction.
Though some counties were still counting absentee and affidavit ballots Monday, Republicans will control at least 62 of the 122 seats when the Legislature convenes Jan. 3.
Totals confirmed Monday show Republican Gene Alday defeated incumbent Democrat John Mayo in House District 25, putting the GOP over the top for control of the House.
The win puts the GOP in almost complete control of state government, including both houses of the Legislature. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant won the governor's office, and Republicans won all but one other statewide office. Attorney General Jim Hood, who won re-election last week, is the last remaining Democrat in a statewide post....
Assuming all their leads hold, Republicans will post a net gain of nine seats in the general election and one through a party switch. Rep. Donnie Bell of Fulton jumped to the GOP Friday.
Three Republican incumbents lost in the Nov. 8 election, cutting into the potential majority.
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