After thinking that all issues were covered, the reporter was about to wrap up the interview when Taggart brought up another topic. He stated, “I think we need an Attorney General who is as passionately about Mississippi’s Future as a lot of people are about the past.” “And one of those components which I believe would help us in keeping young people in Mississippi and recruiting their peers across state lines to stay here is to give the current state flag a dignified retire.” It is unclear if there will be any concerted effort to alter the flag’s controversial design, which prominently features the Confederate battle emblem. It could encourage fellow Republicans to tackle the issue if Taggart wins the election for attorney general. He has made changing the state flag a central part of his campaign. Republican politicians will see the results as a warning not to tackle the controversial issue. Rep. Mark Baker, Rankin County’s Republican primary opponent in Taggart’s race for attorney general is standing up to defend the flag. Baker stated that he was in the Legislature since 2004, and that anyone who attempted to pass a law that would change the state flag in Jackson, I opposed. Because in 2001, the people decided this issue, I fought it. Because if that issue is to be changed, it will remain with the people, not the politicians down at Jackson.” Lynn Fitch, Republican state Treasurer, stated that the people had spoken and that she would defend the laws in the state as attorney general. The flag is an integral part of our history and should be kept. We need to address the concerns expressed by the Mississippi Economic Council, and the business community that the volatile nature our state’s most prominent symbol is affecting all our great work to attract new businesses and people into Mississippi.” It is safe for us to say that no Republican politician has ever run in the state as a strong supporter of changing the flag. After he reversed his course and stated that he believes the flag should change, Republican U.S. Senator Roger Wicker was reelected. Wicker, an incumbent Republican against token Republican opposition, ran for re-election. He did not bring up the issue during his campaign. His stance on the flag is likely to be an important part of the information voters learn about Taggart since he is running for office statewide. The only way to change the Mississippi state flag is through a statewide election, or via a bill that has been passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor. A statewide initiative, according to polling results would produce the same results as in 2001’s election – an overwhelming vote not to change the flag. Most, if not all, of the legislators would support changing the flag. The Mississippi Legislature will likely remain under Republican control for many years. Taggart and more Republicans will be needed to change the flag. Republicans who see the flag as a symbol of change will not be able to express their feelings if he loses his race for attorney general. The former-Gov. Ronnie Musgrove called a news conference, where he stated that he would be joined in the discussion by other statewide officeholders who support changing the flag. It was unclear who among the eight state officeholders would support changing the flag. Six statewide officeholders endorsed a new flag that afternoon at the governor’s state Capitol. They included Musgrove, Attorney General Mike Moore and Treasurer Marshall Bennett. Secretary of State Eric Clark, Lester Spell, Insurance Commissioner George Dale, and Treasurer Marshall Bennett were also present. Phil Bryant, Republican Auditor, and Lt. Governor. Amy Tuck, who later joined the Republican Party, was not part of this group.