JACKSON — Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, has been calling on more members to take turns presiding over the Mississippi House.
Recently, Rep. Linda Coleman, D-Mound Bayou, presided over the 122-member chamber. Long-term observers say it is probably the first time a woman has presided over the House of Representatives.
Ironically, Coleman, one of 38 African American members of the House, was one of three black members voting on the side of Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, on the opening day of the session for speaker.
In preliminary voting on the speaker’s race, it was deadlocked at 61 votes each. On the third preliminary vote, Coleman switched to the McCoy side, making the vote 62-60. Coleman remained on the McCoy side through the remaining tension-filled votes.
Read Bobby Harrison’s coverage of state government in the Daily Journal newspaper.
