Tollison was chosen by 51 Mississippi senators, but the tradition of the lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate has a great influence on who gets elected to the position. “Sen. “Sen. His 24 years of experience as a legislator and his passion for public policy made him the perfect candidate to be the senator. The unusual vote was necessary because Terry Burton (R-Newton) had to resign under Reeves’ pressure after being arrested in December for driving while impaired. Buck Clarke (R-Hollanddale), Appropriations Chair, stated that Tollison has the “largest experience” necessary to fill the constitutionally-created post. Senator John Horhn (D-Jackson), who supported the nomination, said that Tollison “really is a senator’s Senator.” “He is here for the body as well the members of Senate.” The pro-tem presides in the absence the lieutenant governor, and oversees the day to-to-day management as chair of Rules Committee. Tollison was already vice-chair of Rules. Tollison is also third in the gubernatorial succession. Tollison was elected to the Senate in 2005. He is not seeking re-election. Recently, the Oxford attorney said that he felt it was time for him to leave the Senate. After being sworn into office by Reeves, he said that he appreciated the seriousness and duties of the position. Tollison was seen as a rising star of Democratic politics in 1996 when he assumed office. As a new Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Tollison was immediately welcomed. Ronnie Musgrove was part of his leadership team. He remained a leading voice in the Democratic caucus, even after he switched parties in 2011. Tollison was first noticed in the Senate because he was one of the key votes on the Universities and Colleges Committee that rejected the then Governor. Kirk Fordice nominated four people to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. This was because they were not diverse. All four of the nominees were white men. Tollison and Senator Grey Ferris (D-Vicskburg) joined the African American members to reject the nominations in a dramatic special session. Tollison stated that he felt pressured to approve nominees in recent years due to some of the nominees’ close connections to the University of Mississippi. This is his district. Tollison’s party change was unexpected due to his prominence in Democratic caucus. Tollison switched parties the week after he was reelected in District 9 (Lafayette, Panola) in 2011. Horhn stated that he believed he had made a mistake. But “…Sen. Tollison is a great man. Horhn stated that even though we don’t agree on everything, he is civil and respectful. As Education chair, Tollison has been a strong advocate for charter schools as well as unsuccessful attempts to rewrite Mississippi Adequate Education Program – a state’s school funding formula he helped pass as a Democrat in 1997 during Musgrove’s tenure. Tollison, 54, will also continue his term as Education Committee chair and assume the new duties.