Legislative incumbents toppled in runoffs

- Elections – www.sunherald.com: www.sunherald.com/2011/08/23/3370875/legislative-i….html

Two longtime incumbent South Mississippi lawmakers were ousted Tuesday and three new faces will represent the area in the Legislature, voters decided in Tuesday’s primary runoffs.

In local races, an 18-year veteran Jackson County supervisor was defeated as voters decided 21 county-government runoffs from the Aug. 2 primaries.

Real estate business owner Greg Haney of Gulfport defeated incumbent state Rep. Roger Ishee, who’s held the District 118 House seat since 1997, 67 percent to 33 percent in unofficial results. Haney, unopposed in the November general election, said he believes voters are looking for a change, from Washington down to Gulfport, and that his small-business background helped.
“I was told when I started this thing, that if I go grass roots, get out and meet people and listen to them, that I could win this thing,” Haney said.”That’s what we did, me and my wife, and we met a lot of great folks. I’d like to thank them for their encouragement and prayers.”

Former teacher and businesswoman Angela Burks Hill defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Sidney”Sid” Albritton, who’s held the District 40 seat since 2004, 52 percent to 48 percent.
“Voters were not satisfied with the representation they had,” Hill said.”We are a conservative community and were not getting conservative representation.”

Hill said she is taking a philosophy of smaller government and less spending to Jackson and”we have to, because we don’t want to see the state going in the same direction as the federal government.”

Sonya Williams-Barnes handily defeated Richard”Kim” Marsh, 59 percent to 41 percent, in unofficial results in the Democratic House District 119 runoff. Williams-Barnes will fill the seat that represents North Gulfport, long held by Rep. Frances Fredericks, who decided not to seek re-election.

Williams-Barnes, co-owner and funeral director at Lockett-Williams Mortuary, said she believes voters could see her determination and desire to serve her community in Jackson.
“I’m just so appreciative that they have faith in me,” Williams-Barnes said.”I know I have big shoes to fill, and know it will take some time for me to fill them, but I’m ready for my feet to grow.”

#Mississppi #South #Mississippi #Gulf #Coast #Greg #Haney #Roger #Ishee #HD118 #Gulfport #Angela #Burks #Hill #Sid #Albritton #SD40 #Sonya #Williams-Barnes #Kim #Marsh #HD119 #Democrats #Republicans #primary #runoff #Frances #Fredericks #Mississippi #Senate #Mississippi #House

DuPree win historic

| The Clarion-Ledger | www.clarionledger.com: www.clarionledger.com/article/20110824/NEWS04/1082…toric

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree has made history, becoming the first African American in modern history to win a major-party nomination for Mississippi governor.

DuPree, 57, who led in the Aug. 2 primary, defeated Clarksdale lawyer and businessman Bill Luckett, 63, in the Democratic runoff Tuesday, snagging 55 percent of the vote.

He will face Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, as well as independent Will Oatis and a potential Reform Party candidate, in the Nov. 8 general election.

"I feel good," he said Tuesday night after the results were announced. "It’s been a long (race), and I feel we were rewarded for a lot of hard work."

He spent less money on his campaign than Luckett but led an aggressive grass-roots effort, reaching out to potential voters in churches and going door-to-door across the state, among other tactics.

DuPree said he’s aware of the milestone he has achieved in a state known for its difficult racial past, but he doesn’t want to harp on it.

"What we’ve been trying to express to people is a message," he said. "I don’t think I have to focus on (race)."

Though turnout was expected to be low Tuesday, DuPree supporters lit up Facebook and Twitter with encouraging messages throughout the day.

DuPree took an early lead as results came in and held onto it for the rest of the night.

He easily won Hinds County – the county with the most Democratic voters, taking about five votes for every one that went to Luckett.

The three-term mayor celebrated Tuesday night at Hattiesburg’s Sherrill Community Center across from City Hall.

#Mississippi #Bill #Luckett #Hattiesburg #Pine #Belt #Democrats #Johnny #Dupree #primary #runoff #elections #Governor

Nash–Runoff Predictions

redblue | The Clarion-Ledger | www.clarionledger.com: www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Catego…=Blog:36489e38-8ae6-4b2e-8841-0017ffb2c4ddPost:fc13a99e-406f-4a5c-89d6-0bf047ae3ef4&sid=sitelife.clarionledger.com

We’ll see today if the rule of thumb holds for election predictions — the candidate who raises or spends the most is usually the winner. In the case of the top three Republican runoffs on the ballot today, that would mean victories for Charles Barbour ($110,532 to $81,030 for Longwitz), Knox Ross ($200,149 to $106,218 for Harkins), and Lynn Fitch ($535,726 to $344,073 for Yancey). In the case of the Longwitz, Harkins and Yancey, they each have an advantage that might overcome the money: Longwitz has geography, Harkins has an extensive network of grassroots contacts in Rankin County, and Yancey has a network of church and conservative activist contacts across the state. Very hard to call these.

#Jere #Nash #Mississippi #politics #campaigns #elections #runoff #Charles #Barbour #Will #Longwitz #Knox #Ross #Josh #Harkins #Lynn #Fitch #Lee #Yancey #Treasurer #SD25 #SD20 #Republicans #finance #grassroots

Shots fired in treasurer’s race

- WLOX-TV and www.WLOX.com – The News for South Mississippi: www.wlox.com/story/15311405/shots-fired-inttreasur…-race

GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
One day before run off elections, politics dominated the day at a Harrison County Republican Women’s event at the Southern Club in Gulfport.

Several candidates were on hand making last minute overtures before Tuesday’s run-offs. The marquee match up is the race for State Treasurer.

Republicans Lee Yancey and Lynn Fitch both took the opportunity to meet with voters in South Mississippi and talk about their qualifications.

"I’m the most conservative person in the race," Lee Yancey told the crowd. "I’ve been involved in Republican politics my whole life. With my four years in the Senate, I know the legislative process, I know all the Legislators, I know how a bill becomes law. I know how to get things done."

Then it was Lynn Fitch’s turn.

"I ran an agency for Governor Barbour, the State Personnel Board, which is the human resources agency for about 32,000 state employees," Fitch said. "I’ve been a bond lawyer. I’ve represented the Treasurers office, Bond Commission, and all other financial agencies in state government."

Yancey, a state Senator from Rankin County has gone on the offensive in this race.

"I’ve raised the question: After the legislature put a freeze on all salaries, why did Lynn Fitch authorize more than a million dollars in raises? She says I’m going negative and dirty. I’m simply asking a question about her record," Yancey said.

Fitch, who lives in Madison County, deflected that criticism.

"It’s unfortunate my opponent has gone negative. I won’t go there," Fitch said. "Those are lies and distortions. I’m not going to be drawn into that. I’ve got so many positive things to talk about like what we can do when I’m the state’s Chief Financial Officer."

The winner of Tuesday’s run off meets Ocean Springs Mayor and Democrat Connie Moran in the general election.

#Mississippi #Treasurer #Lynn #Fitch #Lee #Yancey #politics #Republicans #Connie #Moran #Harrison #County #runoff #elections #campaigns

Senators Fillingane and Hudson endorse Lynn Fitch for Treasurer

Fitch receives two local endorsements – WDAM – Channel 7 – Mississippi News, Hattiesburg, Laurel: www.wdam.com/story/15311339/fitch-receives-two-end…ments

HATTIESBURG,MS (WDAM)- On the eve of the runoff elections Lynn Fitch received a stamp of approval from two Pine Belt senators.

Senators Joey Fillingane and Billy Hudson were at the Chancery Court Building in downtown Hattiesburg to support Fitch, a candidate for State Treasurer.

Both Hudson and Fillingane say Fitch has solid conservative fiscal ideas, and has proven in her present and past jobs to be the best choice for State Treasurer.

"As a bond attorney she is by far the most qualified person. We haven’t heard a lot about qualifications in this race. I think that is shame, because if qualifications are what we decide to vote for it would be a slam dunk for my friend," said Fillingane.

"I am very proud to endorse this lady. I am going to vote for her. I ask my friends and family to come out and vote for her tomorrow. We need a big turn out. We believe and we expect that she is going to be elected tomorrow night," said Hudson.

#Mississippi #politics #State #Senate #Senator #Joey #Fillingane #Senator #Billy #Hudson #Lynn #Fitch #Lee #Yancey #Treasurer #Hattiesburg #Pine #Belt #campaigns #elections #runoff

Nash–Painting with a broad brush

redblue | The Clarion-Ledger | www.clarionledger.com: www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Catego…=Blog:36489e38-8ae6-4b2e-8841-0017ffb2c4ddPost:9410ed41-fca9-4142-8188-3a1ba5c9f63f&sid=sitelife.clarionledger.com

We Mississippi Democrats fully recognize that Mississippi Republicans love nothing more than throwing the liberal label at us. When it comes to a Mississippi Republican describing a Democrat, they can’t do it without inserting liberal in front of our party choice. In the campaign world, it’s calling painting with a broad brush. What we are witnessing in the party primaries this year is a more recent phenomenon — Republican candidates in a GOP primary accusing their Republican opponents of being liberal (or one of the many iterations: Obama supporter, closet Democrat, voted to raise taxes). Lee Yancey did it against Lynn Fitch. Charles Barbour has done it against Will Longwitz. And Josh Harkins has done it against Knox Ross. I’m a little dubious about the tactic; my sense is that GOP primary voters naturally assume anyone running as a Republican is, by default, conservative. If that’s the case, then the tactic will backfire. But I’ll admit I know virtually nothing about what it takes for a candidate to win a GOP primary. That is a foreign battleground for me, so Tuesday could prove me wrong. We’ll see.

#Mississippi #politics #Josh #Harkins #Knox #Ross #SD20 #Will #Longwitz #Charles #Barbour #SD25 #Lynn #Fitch #Lee #Yancey #Treasurer #elections #runoff #campaigns #Republicans

Luckett Concentrating On NEMS

« Majority In Mississippi: majorityinms.com/2011/08/20/luckett-concentrating-…-nems

Bill Luckett wraps up the final weekend before Tuesday’s runoff in the same part of the state that has occupied most of his time since August 2. As we have noted on a couple of previous occasions, the primary vote between he and Johnny DuPree was largely split into a Northern and Southern zone.

It’s obvious where Luckett was his strongest looking at the stops on his last four days. Yesterday he attended high school football games in Tupelo and Saltillo. Today he spent time at farmer’s markets in Columbus and Starkville, while having lunch in Aberdeen. Tomorrow morning he will be at a church in Booneville followed by a fish fry in Corinth. On Monday, he will make two separate appearances in Booneville, along with another visit to Corinth.

#Mississippi #Northeast #Mississippi #Democrats #campaigns #Bill #Luckett #elections #runoff

Senate runoff races showing contrast in level of hostility

| www.clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger: beta.clarionledger.com/article/20110821/NEWS/10821…ility

In Tuesday’s runoff battle, Charles Barbour has sent out mailers accusing opponent and fellow Republican Will Longwitz of everything from supporting President Barack Obama to faking an endorsement from Mississippi’s senior U.S. senator.

"We’ve run a positive campaign, but I believe my opponent has been viciously negative to depress voter turnout," said Longwitz, a Madison lawyer who once served as communications director for a Hurricane Katrina relief initiative commissioned by Gov. Haley Barbour – Charles Barbour’s uncle.

#Mississippi #SD25 #Will #Longwitz #Charles #Barbour #Knox #Ross #Josh #Harkins #politics #campaigns #runoff #Republicans

Johnny DuPree ‘I’m the only candidate who has worked in every branch of government’

- The Dispatch: www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=12586

Johnny DuPree doesn’t need to be overly charismatic or wow crowds with eloquent speeches about how he plans to change the state of Mississippi. He’s done it, albeit at a local level.

DuPree, who’ll face Bill Luckett in the Democratic primary runoff for governor Tuesday, has served as Hattiesburg’s mayor for nine years. His 23-year public service history includes stints on the Hattiesburg Public School Board and Forrest County Board of Supervisors.

"I’m the only candidate who has worked in every branch of government," DuPree said.

He touts Hattiesburg’s growth and progressive economic policies as a harbinger for statewide growth if he’s elected.

Large manufacturers can provide hundreds of jobs when they open new plants in Mississippi, though the economic impact isn’t felt throughout the state, DuPree said. The focus, he believes, should be on arming small business owners with tools to create jobs.

As Hattiesburg’s mayor, DuPree established grants to help small businesses build capacity and retool operations.

"Everybody would like a Nissan or Toyota plant (located in Union County and Madison County, respectively), but realistically, everybody can’t have one," DuPree said. "When you look at the numbers of people employed in Mississippi, 60 to 70 percent are from small businesses. On top of that, 95 percent of businesses in the state are small businesses. They need to be rewarded with incentives the way we do for big companies that create jobs."

#Mississippi #Johnny #Dupree #Democrats #Bill #Luckett #runoff #elections #campaigns #Governor

Bill Luckett ‘I love this state and want to make it better’

- The Dispatch: www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=12585

Not being a career politician is a quality Bill Luckett thinks Mississippi needs in its next governor.

The Democratic primary runoff candidate hangs his hat on his economic track record as a businessman, particularly in revitalizing his hometown of Clarksdale where multiple art galleries and restaurants grace a downtown area that was once "bottomed out," Luckett said.

Nevermind the fact he’s never held a public office.

"’I'm a businessman who has signed the front of paychecks,’ to borrow a line from (former businessman and state governor) Kirk Fordice," Luckett said. "I’m a person who has used my own money, talent and sweat to help build my hometown, rather than using somebody else’s resources.

"I’m not running for governor for any other reason than the fact I love this state and want to make it better. People appreciate that."

Luckett will face Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree in the Democratic runoff on Tuesday. Luckett finished second in the primary on Aug. 2 with 39 percent of the votes in the four-candidate race; DuPree finished with 43 percent.

#Mississippi #Democrats #Bill #Luckett #Johnny #Dupree #runoff #elections #campaigns #politics #Governor