State Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s foray into statewide politicsrepresents a potential mixed blessing for her current constituentsin Senate District 39.

Hyde-Smith, in her 12th year as senator for the district thatincludes Lincoln and Lawrence counties and a portion of SimpsonCounty, announced Friday her intention to run for stateCommissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. It was the second majorpolitical announcement in as many months for the senator, who inDecember switched from the Democratic Party to the RepublicanParty.

So far, she is scheduled to face cattle farmer Max Phillips ofTaylorsville and state Rep. Dannie Reed of Ackerman in theRepublican primary on August 2. Currently there are no Democraticcandidates for the office being vacated by Lester Spell, theRepublican incumbent who chose not to seek re-election.

Hyde-Smith’s ascension to the commissioner’s post would be a plumfor Southwest Mississippi in that this area could expect to havethe ready and listening ear of a statewide official. Furthermore,she is intimately familiar with this area’s contributions to thestate’s economy in terms of timber, livestock and otheragricultural endeavors.

The senator’s decision, however, carries with it risks for her aswell as this community.

In seeking the statewide office, Hyde-Smith is giving up the cloutand prestige she has enjoyed the last eight years as chairman ofthe Senate Agriculture Committee. That experience, though, has laida solid foundation for her to take her next political steps as astatewide official.

For Southwest Mississippi in general, and Brookhaven in particular,Hyde-Smith’s has been a strong voice for this area during her timein the state Senate.

Her influence has been especially helpful in staving off attemptsover the years to close or relocate the Mississippi School of theArts. She has also been vocal when it comes to mental health issuesfacing the state.

While Hyde-Smith’s successor in state Senate District 39 will nodoubt be a capable office-holder – and the potential field ofcandidates as to who that will be is wide open now – the loss ofseniority will mean a little softer voice for this area.

Hyde-Smith has taken a bold step with her decision to seekstatewide office. Voters across the state will soon decide whetherit will be a step up or merely a step out of elected office.