It’s fitting that former Rep. Bobby Moak of Bogue Chitto was chosen as the chairman of the state Democratic Party.

The party announced Saturday that Moak was elected to replace Rickey Cole.

Moak served in the House of Representatives for 32 years, quite a feat for any politician anywhere. He was unseated by Republican Vince Mangold in November.

He recently cited the construction of Lake Okhissa, the law following Hurricane Katrina that allowed casinos to be constructed within 800 feet of the coast and a grant to repave the roads in Bogue Chitto as accomplishments. He said great things have been done in Lincoln County through the appropriations process.

“You look around and see the things that everyone enjoys like the livestock pavilion, the new Highway Patrol station and the new National Guard Armory,” Moak said. “School of the Arts is the big one. School of the Arts is one that a lot of people like to take a lot of credit for, but it’s something that a lot of folks worked on locally.”

Moak is a seasoned politician, and one who has made plenty of his constituents both happy and angry. That comes with the territory. Moak was willing to vote for things that were good for his district, even when it wasn’t especially popular.

House District 53 lost a lot of experience when Moak was defeated, but the Democratic Party will now gain that experience and leadership.

Regardless of our political affiliation, we should all recognize that a government works best when there are two healthy, vibrant parties bringing ideas to the table. One-party rule is dangerous — just look at the state of affairs in the capital today.

We’re happy for Moak and wish him well as he chairs the Democratic Party in Mississippi. The party will need all the help it can get in the years to come.