Mississippi

Former MS Democratic Party Chair no longer seeking reinstatement. DNC denies appeal

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

Former MS Democratic Party Chair no longer seeking reinstatement. DNC denies appeal

Irving says DNC made decision for him, declines to discuss Hinds Chancery Court case

The former chair of the Mississippi Democratic Party said this week he is no longer seeking reinstatement after an appeal submitted to the Democratic National Committee’s Credentials Committee was denied last month.

The committee threw out the appeal from former state party chair Tyree Irving to be reinstated after he was voted out of office in July 2023 for alleged “long standing and repeated actions of malfeasance and misfeasance.” His appeal was thrown out during the DNC’s April meeting.

The decision came less than two months before the state party holds an election to elect a new chair.

“The Credentials Committee voted unanimously (25-0) to recognize State Representative Cheikh Taylor as permanent chair,” The committee wrote in a press release issued last month. “Taylor was elected by a 2-1 vote by the State Executive Committee at a July 2023 meeting and has served as chair since then. In addition to filing the challenge with the national party, Irving also took the extraordinary measure of suing his own party in Hinds County Chancery Court in connection with his removal.”

The lawsuit referenced is still pending further action in the Hinds County Chancery Court.

That suit was filed in September 2023 and in it, Irving claims the state party violated its constitution several times in the course of ousting him, appointing Taylor and making several position changes within the party. He has also requested a restraining order on all party business until he is reinstated.

Irving had previously submitted a resignation letter to the party a few days before the vote was tallied during a special meeting.

That resignation letter came after Irving ridiculed MDP Executive Director Andre Wagner for trying to clarify an email Irving sent stating DNC funds were coming to MDP if it donated an equal amount to Gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley. Gifting funds to a political entity to give one candidate funding is a crime.

More on Irving’s resignation The Mississippi Democratic Party chair announced he will resign. What happens next?

Details on Irving lawsuit: Former Mississippi Democratic Party chair sues to reinstate himself, saying his ouster was improper

Irving and several other plaintiffs claim that the party, as well as key executive committee and party members including Taylor and William Wheeler, are essentially acting as a rogue political group without legal ground to conduct business on the party’s behalf.

The party’s response in the case is that Irving claims are all categorically false, and that the party has acted in accordance with its own regulations. It also denounces his claim to be reinstated, and one defendant, Wheeler, even alleges Irving destroyed property at party headquarters in Jackson.

“Irving negligently and intentionally abused and caused damage to the property, including personal property inside of the building, out of spite and malice, all of which will be shown by the evidence at trial,” Wheeler stated.

The court has not yet set a trial date, according to a Hinds County Chancery Court employee.

Irving’s status with state Democratic Party

Irving, a former appellate judge who declined to comment on the ongoing case, told the Clarion Ledger Tuesday that with the decision from the DNC, he has no plans to run against Taylor.

“I devoted nearly three years of my post-retirement time to trying to lay the groundwork to transform the Mississippi Democratic Party into a real political force that would serve the interests of all ordinary Mississippians rather than the interests of self-appointed party bosses,” Irving said. “My term will officially end when the State Executive Committee elects new officers in the next month or two. I can think of no good reason why I should continue my efforts to bring about such a transformation by seeking another term.”

Irving added that he believes the DNC simply made a political move to support Taylor and ignore the facts of the July 2023 vote to oust him as party chair and the ongoing case.

“The Credentials Committee of the DNC made a political decision without consideration of the facts,” he said. “The DNC sends $15,000 monthly to support the Mississippi Democratic Party. Without that financial support, the Mississippi Democratic Party would not have any substantial operational footprint. Since it is clear that my vision for the Party did not align with the Party bosses of the Mississippi Democratic Party and the Credentials Committee of the DNC, there is no reason to believe that would change going forward.”

Taylor, a Democrat from Starkville, told the Clarion Ledger he is unaware of any other challengers to him, and he hopes he can continue the work of the party as the congressional elections come up in November.

“I am seeking chairmanship again and we’ve moved forward rapidly,” Taylor said. “I want a solid four years to really put my stamp on the vision and the mission along with the great council that I have moving the party forward.”

Read more on Primary races MS Primary results

Taylor added he believes the decision made by the DNC may help push the chancery court in favor of the party over Irving’s claims.

“What I think may happen is that the chancery court will probably look at the ruling of the committee, And will follow suit,” he said.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Mississippi

Stamps Super Burgers named best burger in Mississippi

Published

5 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Stamps Super Burgers named best burger in Mississippi

A Jackson, Mississippi, icon has been named the best burger in Mississippi.

Foodie offers tips for “living a delicious life” from where you go out to eat to what you cook at home. It’s ranked the best hamburger restaurant in every state.

“Of course, the bigger burger chain names have become famous worldwide, but U.S. soil is also home to a dazzling variety of burger businesses, from those selling everything from high-end gastroburgers and gluten- or meat-free versions, to hole-in-the-wall places that have been slinging sliders for generations,” Scheenagh Harrington wrote for Foodie.

The site’s pick for the best in the Magnolia State is not surprising.

“Many businesses claim their product is the best in town, but Jackson-based Stamps Super Burgers really does deliver,” Harrington wrote.

They warned to plan your trip. Afternoons can get very busy.

Why do people love Stamps burgers?

Stamps Super Burgers, 1801 Dalton St., Jackson, was founded in 1986. Since then, three generations of the Stamps family have served juicy burgers and fresh-cut fries to the community.

Today, it’s co-owned by Phil Stamps Jr. In a previous interview with the Clarion Ledger, he said it “originally started with my grandmother and grandfather in 1970 when they purchased it from Canterbury Grocery, and the entire family operated that business as a grocery and meat market for a while before transitioning over to burgers in 1986.”

The kitchen is open, in the center of the restaurant. You can watch employees cut potatoes for fries or man the grill.

A signature Stamps hamburger comes with an 11-ounce beef patty and mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onions. The menu also has wings and different burger options, like turkey or portobello.

The Washington Addition restaurant regularly tops “best of” rankings for the state. In 2024, it was on the USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.

Where are the best burgers in Jackson, MS?

Yelp lists the Top 10 burger joints in Jackson, based on user reviews.

Stamps Super Burgers
Foundation Burger
Fat Albert’s
Cs’s
Rooster’s Restaurant
Rowan’s
Bulldog Burger
The Pig & Pint
Brent’s Drugs
Not Just a Burger

Contributing: Kiara Fleming

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

An 1850s Parsonage in Natchez, Mississippi, Is Selling for the First Time in Over a Century

Published

17 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

An 1850s Parsonage in Natchez, Mississippi, Is Selling for the First Time in Over a Century

A 174-year-old brick parsonage house on a bluff above the Mississippi River is now for sale in Natchez, Mississippi, asking $1.985 million.

The home, completed in 1852, was built by architect James Hardie as a residence for Methodist ministers, according to historical records. The land was donated by Peter Little, a wealthy cotton broker and slave owner who built the city’s historic Rosalie mansion.

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The house was initially built as a one-story residence with an “English” basement and a carriage house; a two-story annex was added later, according to the listing with Douglas Adams of Crescent Sotheby’s International Realty, informed by the Historic Natchez Foundation.

“The location is what is superb because it is one of the highest points in Natchez overlooking the Mississippi River,” said Adams, who posted the listing Thursday.

In 1893, the Parsonage changed hands for the last time when it was purchased by James and Agnes Metcalfe, and has been in the Metcalfe family ever since.

Known as the Parsonage, the residence is considered a classic example of Greek Revival architecture from the pre-Civil War South, with a wide portico, raised porch and sash windows. It is located on South Broadway Street, in a commanding position that overlooks Bluff Park, the Mississippi and downtown Natchez. It spans 6,500 square feet with five bedrooms, two formal parlors flanking a central hall and richly detailed interiors that include original exposed-brick walls, fireplaces and stained-glass windows.

In addition to a front porch, the property includes several outdoor terraces and balconies, including a second-floor wraparound deck and a balustraded rooftop—which has the best vantage point from which to see the wide views.

The home was occupied for many years by the late Albert and Gay Metcalfe, who married at the Parsonage in 1959, and would host events for friends. “It became something of a social hub,” Adams said. “They’d host families to celebrate someone’s life; there may have been some weddings that occurred there.”

Gay Metcalfe died in 2023 and the heirs are her three children, Adams said. The family couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Hardie, the architect, was a Scottish immigrant who built several other notable buildings in Natchez, including most prominently St. Mary Basilica, a Gothic Revival structure on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Homewood plantation, a Greek Revival mansion.

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According to local lore, the Parsonage was commissioned by Little because his wife, Eliza’s religious devotion led her to welcome every passing minister into their home, according to “Natchez,” a 1940s history of the city. Displeased with the “long siege of such guests,” Little decided to build a separate home for his wife’s visitors.

Little’s own mansion at Rosalie still stands today near the site of the 1729 massacre of the Natchez Native Americans, from whom the city takes its name.

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