Baldwin not listed by state as candidate for House seat|[03/09/07]

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 9, 2007

A Democratic challenger to state Rep. George Flaggs Jr. was no longer listed as a candidate today by the party or the Secretary of State’s Office, indicating he’s dropped out of the race.

Newspaper editor and minister Gary Baldwin, however, could not be contacted. A phone number listed for him was answered by a recording saying it had been disconnected.

The House District 55 seat has been held by Flaggs for 20 years, and he will seek a sixth term in November.

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Baldwin is listed as editor of The New Times, a newspaper printed on a varying schedule in Vicksburg. He had not sought office previously.

The development leaves another minister, the Rev. Rick McAlister, 54, as the uncontested nominee for the Republican nomination for the seat and Flaggs as the uncontested nominee for the Democratic nod. They will meet on Nov. 6 ballots.

The district includes central and northern Vicksburg.

Flaggs, 53, chairman of the House Juvenile Justice Committee, was first elected in 1987 and is a Warren County Youth Court counselor. He also sits on the Appropriations, Joint Legislative Budget, Gaming, Hurricane Recovery, Investigate State Offices, Public Health & Human Services and Medicaid committees.

Prior to his election to the seat, Flaggs was on the Vicksburg Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

McAlister said he is running as a &#8220Christian businessman.” He is also a licensed pilot.

Fifty-two candidates are running for local and statewide office in Warren County, including contested races for state senate and House District 54.

In the senate race, Rep. Chester Masterson is being challenged by Republicans W. Briggs Hopson III and Buddy Terrell for the seat vacated by Sen. Mike Chaney. The two-term senator has filed for state insurance commissioner.

Businessman and former city candidate Eric Rawlings is the only Democrat in the Senate race.

Running to fill Masterson’s seat in District 54 are Republicans Ryan Sadler and Alex Monsour, independent Tom Setser and Democrat Jennifer Thomas.

The district covers south Warren County, Issaquena County and a portion of Sharkey County.