[9/27/03]State Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, said Friday he will be a candidate for the second-highest leadership post when the House of Representatives convenes in January.

Flaggs, a Democrat and Juvenile Justice Committee chairman, said in a released statement that he seeks his colleagues’ support to be speaker pro tempore, usually just called “pro-tem,” to replace the retiring state Rep. Robert Clarke, D-Ebenezer, who has held the post for many years.

Flaggs’ announcement came when he was asked for reaction to the announcement by another House veteran, Rep. Charlie Capps, D-Cleveland, that he would seek the job.

“The many challenges facing Mississippi’s future and my vision for that future have convinced me that I should seek this office,” Flaggs said in the statement.

He also said that many of the 122 members of the House had encouraged him to run, but he said he would not comment any further than his released statement. He said he would make a formal statement concerning his candidacy for the position after the Nov. 4 elections.

“There are a lot of House members running, and I’m going to wait until after the elections,” Flaggs said from his office in Vicksburg, where he is a youth court counselor. Flaggs, senior delegate to the Legislature from Vicksburg, is unopposed for a fourth term.

Flaggs also serves on the Appropriations, Investigation of State Offices, Legislative Budget, Management and Public Health & Welfare committees.

Flaggs, 50, will likely face representatives in addition to Capps, who is chairman of the Appropriations Committee and has been in the Legislature for 30 years. Capps is also unopposed for a new, four-year term.

Flaggs said running in a race where Capps is also a candidate is nothing personal.

“I have enjoyed immensely serving under him on the Appropriations Committee for the past 12 years and have learned much from him,” Flaggs said.

Capps also said he wished Flaggs the best, even though they are competing in the same race.

“We’re really good friends,” Capps said. “We just want the same job.”

Along with Flaggs and Capps, Transportation Committee Chairman J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis, and Rep. Mark Formby, R-Picayune, have publicly said they are interested in becoming the next speaker pro tempore.

Others frequently mentioned as potential candidates are County Affairs Chairman David Green, D-Gloster, and Rep. Billy Broomfield, D-Moss Point.

Sixteen-year Speaker of the House Tim Ford, D-Baldwyn, is also retiring. Several House members have been identified as seeking his position.