Flaggs no longer a Democrat

Published 7:00 pm Monday, March 5, 2018

: Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., has decided to leave the Democratic Party and is now an Independent. (File/The Vicksburg Post)

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. is leaving the Democratic Party.

“As of March 20, I’m going to declare myself to the clerk of the city and the Secretary of State that I’ll be considered an independent,” he said Monday.

“What that will allow me to do is be more effective in representing Democrats and Republicans in the future, and if I determine to run for re-election, I’ll only have to run in the general election and I won’t have to run in the primaries any more.

“Politics is flexible, and you have to be ahead of the curve,” Flaggs said. “And you want to be successful, and I have every intention of representing Vicksburg in the way I can be the most effective.”

Flaggs’ announcement came about two hours before U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced he is resigning his seat for health reasons.

Flaggs has indicated an interest in possibly running for lieutenant governor and mentioned at one time in February he has been asked by some people to seek a third term as mayor.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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