Charles C. Bolton's "William F. Winter and the New Mississippi" covers the life of Mississippi's 57th governor, who began in politics as a driver for James O. Eastland during his campaign for the United States Senate in 1942.
As governor from 1980 to 1984, the Grenada County native led the passage of the Historic Landmark Education Reform Act of 1982, which brought public kindergartens to the state..
Last year, during a conversation with Gov. Winter, it was clear that his commitment to education and the betterment of this state is still going strong today. Winter, who turns 91 next month and still practices law in Jackson, has stayed active for the decades after his gubernatorial term ended.
The biography is a good read and an asset to any library for students of Mississippi history and politics. The book explains that the road to the governor's office was not an easy one for Winter. He had two attempts that fell short, one in the gubernatorial election of 1967, and the other in 1975.
When Winter first ran for governor in 1967, many racist Mississippians did not want to elect a progressive-minded servant who would work hard for both blacks and whites in this state. That was the major factor in him losing the election.
The 1979 gubernatorial race was Winter's time, and he brought with him a progressive agenda in the form of education and job creation. He campaigned on and served to give all Mississippi's children access to a quality public education. His administration included young professionals called "The Boys of Spring" who were dedicated to serving all the people of this state and improving education for every child. In 1987 one of these assistants, Roy Mabus, went on to be governor.
Winter's campaign and governing showed that people of all races need to work together for progress.
As the biography points out, Winter has championed issues he believes are important to this state: education, a strong economy and facilitating racial reconciliation. In 2008, Gov. Winter was presented the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Today we see white candidates and elected officials, Democratic and Republican, including black people in their campaigns and campaigning on how we should serve everyone no matter water race they are. This is the "New Mississippi" that Gov. Winter gave us, and he has served this state well as a public servant.
Ken Strachan is a former member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, former mayor of North Carrollton and serves as Carroll County coroner.
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