JACKSON (March 27, 2009) — Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks today confirmed the hiring of Sam R. Hall as the new executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party.

“I’m happy to have Sam officially on board as our executive director. He has a lot of experience in Mississippi Democratic politics, working with this party, working with Democrats in the Legislature and running campaigns,” Franks said. “He will bring political experience and business leadership to the office.”

Franks said the hiring was made official at a Thursday meeting of the party’s Administrative Committee.

“I’m excited about the future of the Democratic Party in the state. We have a lot of momentum built up from President Obama’s historic election on the national level and the monumental victory by Congressman Travis Childers here in the state,” Hall said. “I hope to work with the chairman and the executive committee as we continue to grow and strengthen the Democratic Party in Mississippi.”

Hall is a native of Tupelo. He graduated Tupelo High School and Millsaps College, where he majored in Political Science. He spent several years working as a journalist, including stints as publisher of three Mississippi weekly newspapers and one Alabama daily newspaper.

Hall began his political career as Communications Director of the Mississippi Democratic Party. He also served as Executive Director of the Legislative Democratic caucus. Hall managed the successful special election campaigns of Reps. Angela Cockerham and Sherra Hillman Lane. Most recently, Hall was the campaign manager for Justice Jim Kitchens, who unseated incumbent Chief Justice Jim Smith.

Hall was the founding partner of Blue Dot Group, LLC, a political consulting firm located in Jackson. He stepped down from his role in that firm to join the party as executive director.

Hall takes over from interim Executive Director Rosalind Rawls, who will remain with the party in an advisory capacity through the end of the month.

Franks said the party has also hired Christopher Smith as a political director.