Overview:
Mississippi became the 20th state on 10 December 1817. With a 2004 population of 2,902,966, Mississippi is predominantly (61.4%) white. The largest minority (36.3%) is Black, followed by Asian (0.7%). More than half of the population (1,644,523) is classified as rural. The state has a poulation density similar to the nation, with 60.6 persons per square mile versus 79.6. (Census, USDA)
Presidential Votes:
2004 : Kerry (D) 40%, Bush (R) 60%
2000 : Gore (D) 41%, Bush (R) 58%, Nader (I) 1%
1996 : Clinton (D) 44%, Dole (R) 49%, Perot (I) 6%
Federal Representation:
Mississippi has four US Representatives and two US Senators.
- Sen. Trent Lott (R-2006) - first elected in 1988
- Sen. Thad Cochran (R-2008) - first elected in 1978
- Rep. Roger F. Wicker (01-R)
- Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (02-D)
- Rep. Charles W. (Chip) Pickering (03-R)
- Rep. Gene Taylor (04-D)
State Government:
Governor Haley Barbour (R) was elected in 2003 and is up for re-election in 2007, as is Lt. Governor Amy Tuck (R).
The capitol is Jackson; the state legislature has 52 seats in the Senate and 122 seats in the House. Democrats hold a majority in both chambers.