Democrat Bob Dearing, front left, raises his right hand as his daughters Paige Dearing, left, and Daye Dearing, center, and wife Shelley Dearing, second from right, witness him being sworn in to the Mississippi Senate by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, right, Wednesday. The Natchez resident took office after the Senate rejected a challenge by Republican Melanie Sojourner to his election. (AP photo)