Erik Robert Fleming is an American politician who was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing the 72nd District from 1999 to 2008. He was the Democratic nominee for one of the state's two U.S. Senate seats. He faced incumbent RepublicanThad Cochran in the November 4, 2008 general election, and was defeated. Erik is now Director of Policy with the Mississippi chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and continues to advocate for the citizens of Mississippi.
Early and personal life
Fleming was born in Chicago, Illinois to Joan and Robert Fleming, and attended Lindblom Technical High School. He majored in political science at Jackson State University, became a brother of Alpha Phi Omega while there, and graduated in 1987. Fleming worked with Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus in his 1987 campaign and Mike Parker in his campaign for the U.S. Congress in 1988. Fleming is married to political candidate Linda Pritchett and is the father of one son, Sean Christopher, and is Lutheran. Erik is a member of several organizations and boards, including the NAACP, the SCLC, the Mississippi Faith-Based Coalition for Community Renewal, the Mississippi Families for Kids, and the Jackson State University National Alumni Association.
Political career
Fleming was first elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in a January 1999 special election to finish the unexpired term of Tomie Green. He represented the 72nd District from 1999 to 2008. He was defeated in the 2007 primary by Kimberly Campbell, succeeded him in January 2008. Fleming ran against incumbent U.S. Senator Trent Lott in the November 2006 election. There were four candidates In the June 6, 2006 Democratic primary; top two finishers were Fleming, who received 44 percent, and Hickory Flat business consultant Bill Bowlin, who received 22 percent. In the June 27 runoff between Fleming and Bowlin, Fleming received 65 percent. Fleming lost to Lott in the general election. Fleming served as President of the Young Democrats of Mississippi, Chair of the Hinds County Democratic Executive Committee, National Committeeman of The Young Democrats of America, and as campaign manager for the Henry J. Kirksey for Mayor Campaign. At one time Fleming expressed support for political activistLyndon LaRouche, but has denounced him several times since. Fleming worked previously as a paralegal for the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, an abstinence educator with the Mississippi Community Development Corporation, a non-profit agency located in his legislative district. Fleming has also served as chief operating officer for New Horizon Ministries, Inc., a non-profit agency in Jackson. Fleming won the Mississippi primary for the Democratic Party nomination and then went on and faced Senator Thad Cochran in Mississippi's November 2008 Senate election. Senator Cochran won by a landslide with over 61% of the vote and Fleming got only 38% of the vote.
