Jackson Free Press

Mississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy, 68, a Delta farmer from Rienzi, announced yesterday that he would not run again for his seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

McCoy made it public that he won't run for another term as Representative of District 3 in Prentiss and Alcorn counties. Since he won't be in the Legislature, the Democrat also won't be Speaker next session. He was not available this morning for comment.

In 2008, Jackson Free Press reporter Adam Lynch interviewed McCoy, and asked why he wanted the job of Speaker of the House.

"It gives a greater opportunity for one person to represent the people at the very highest level," he said then.

"I've worked with many members of the House since 1980. I watched the speaker's position for all these years, and helped other speakers succeed, so when the opportunity looked like it was going to arise, many members came to me and asked me to consider running. I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't had their support four years ago, and I wouldn't have run this time if I hadn't had their support."

When McCoy became Speaker in 2004, he had specific issues he intended to address.

"Ultimately, it's always been about how we spend the taxpayers' money," he said in the 2008 interview.

"It's always about trying to have quality education, and trying to provide health care for those who cannot provide for themselves, especially the disabled and children. And it has always been about having a quality transportation system in the state, about backing our law enforcement officers and our firemen. And, just like now, it's been about doing everything you can do to provide quality jobs for Mississippi."

A news release from the Office of the Speaker stated yesterday that no one issue led to McCoy's decision and that his health remains stable. (McCoy suffered a stroke in 2004.)

"With an humble heart, I thank my family for their faithful support during more than 40 years of public service," McCoy stated in the release.

"I thank the voters of District 3 for their many votes for us and I want to thank my colleagues in the House for bestowing their highest honor on me as their Speaker. I am grateful to previous Speakers Buddy Newman and Tim Ford for placing me in legislative positions to learn the process and to help accomplish many beneficial things for Mississippi."

McCoy is a Mason and a Shriner who is affiliated with the Farm Bureau. He's a Baptist and born in Booneville. A former vocational-agriculture teacher and loan officer for the Farmers Home Administration, McCoy also served as school auditor for the Mississippi State Department of Audit and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College.

"There's a season for everything," McCoy said in yesterday's news release.

"I am confident that there's a season for me after legislative service. By God's grace I'm planning on spending more time in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians with my family and friends."