Mississippi District 94 Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, was recently selected the Mississippi House Democratic leader.

While Democrats are a minority in the Mississippi House, Johnson is in a key position to rally the support of his fellow Democrats in the House to bring action to issues he believes are important not only for the entire state but also for rural areas such as Southwest Mississippi, including Natchez and Adams County.

Although Johnson is a Democrat and the leader of the Democratic caucus in the state House he said party lines often disappear when an issue is facing all people of Mississippi, and he is willing to work across party lines to do what is best for Mississippi and the area.

That is a notion that is hard to come by these days, especially in the nation’s capital where party loyalty seemingly leads the day over compromise and consensus.

Good government is about just that, compromising to do what is best for the majority of the people not just what is best for one party or group of constituents.

We trust Johnson will live up to his word and his record indicates he will.

The Mississippi Legislature has some big issues to tackle this year, and we hope with Johnson’s leadership the state will make the best decisions for all Mississippians.

We are proud of Johnson for his leadership role, and we are confident he will be an effective leader of the Democratic caucus in the Mississippi House of Representatives.