Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Democrats showed confidence and optimism at a state convention on Saturday, and heard from speakers whose sentiments mirrored their own.

"What a great day to be a Democrat," said Travis Childers, the first Democrat to capture Mississippi's 1st congressional district in more than a decade.

"I underestimated the national attention this race drew. ... (NBC News') Tim Russert called it 'seismic.Ҕ

Childers took the MS-1 seat from Republican Greg Davis during a May primary run-off, and will occupy the office until January unless he wins again in the November election.

In the meantime, Childers is cause for rivalry among Democrats and consternation from Republicans, who believed the seat impervious to Democratic takeover until last month.

Democrats also heard from former state Rep. Jamie Franks, of Mooreville, who may take the party's state chairmanship in July.

Franks promised a more thorough statewide organizational effort and outlined the party's platform, which includes consumer protection regarding insurance policies and more concentration upon the eradication of poverty, among other things.

The party also agreed to toss the possibility of Ike Brown occupying the state executive committee.

A federal judge banned Brown from aiding Noxubee County elections last year after he discriminated against white voters.

Republicans have been using Brown as an excuse to push for voter ID, which many Democrats oppose as another barrier to voting.