McDonnell heads to Miss. to campaign with gubernatorial candidate – Virginia Politics – The Washington Post

Image via Wikipedia

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will take a quick jaunt to Mississippi Thursday evening to raise some money.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Bob Brown)

McDonnell, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, will headline a fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Phil Bryant (R).

Bryant, the state’s lieutenant governor, will face Democrat Johnny DuPree in November.

More than 200 people are expected to attend the event in Jackson on Thursday.

via McDonnell heads to Miss. to campaign with gubernatorial candidate – Virginia Politics – The Washington Post.

Related articles

• McDonnell joins Spielberg one day, Trump the next – Virginia Politics – The Washington Post (stevenspielbergpleasereadthis.com)
• McDonnell open to V.P. slot (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)
• McDonnell Named as New Head of Republican Governors Association (politics.blogs.foxnews.com)
• Va. Gov. McDonnell Steps In as Perry Drops GOP Governors Association Post (blogs.wsj.com)

A rundown of the latest campaign finance reports.

JACKSON, Miss. — Republican Phil Bryant still has the most cash in the open race for Mississippi governor, but Democrat Johnny DuPree says he’s confident he can reach voters through personal appearances and online in the final four weeks of the campaign.

Candidates filed their latest campaign finance reports Monday.

Bryant, the first-term lieutenant governor, has spent nearly $4.2 million in the governor’s race this year, and has $928,670 cash on hand.

DuPree, the third-term mayor of Hattiesburg, has spent $610,830 and has $235,703 on hand.

“We don’t raise a lot of money in our campaigns. Never have,” DuPree said this past week in Jackson. “I like what we’re doing. I like going and talking to people. I like listening to people and their needs and the things that they’re interested in. That’s what gets buy-in.”

The Bryant campaign is having a fundraiser Thursday night in Jackson, with suggested donations of $1,000 to $25,000. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour are scheduled to appear at the event. Barbour is limited to two terms and couldn’t run again this year. McDonnell is chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

“Phil Bryant’s campaign for governor continues to build momentum as we head toward the Nov. 8 election, thanks to the support of thousands of Mississippians,” campaign spokesman Dan Turner said in a written statement Monday.

Other finance reports show:

— In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican Tate Reeves of Flowood has spent just over $3 million this year and has $451,586 cash on hand. Reeves is the current state treasurer and he defeated longtime state Sen. Billy Hewes of Gulfport in a hard-fought GOP primary for lieutenant governor. No Democrat is in the race. The Reform Party’s Tracella Lou O’Hara Hill of Hattiesburg has spent $200 and has no cash on hand.

— In the attorney general’s race, two-term Democratic incumbent Jim Hood of Brandon has spent $520,723 and has $848,316 in his campaign fund. His Republican challenger, former state Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson of Gulfport, has spent $196,749 and has $212,438 cash on hand.

— In the open race for treasurer, Republican Lynn Fitch of Madison, who’s on leave as director of the state Personnel Board, has spent $470,512 and is holding $154,389. Democrat Connie Moran, the second-term mayor of Ocean Springs, has spent $64,230 and has $2,300 on hand. The Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara of Hattiesburg has spent $200 and has no cash on hand.

— In the open race for agriculture commissioner, Democrat Joel Gill, the mayor of Pickens, has raised $19,453 and has $17,168 on hand. The Republican nominee, state Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Brookhaven, spent $193,751 and has $63,379 in cash on hand. The Reform Party’s Cathy L. Toole of Biloxi has spent $200 and has no cash on hand.

— In the state auditor’s race, first-term Republican incumbent Stacey Pickering of Laurel has spent $130,951 and is holding $129,566. The Reform Party’s Ashley Norwood of Canton has spent $200 and has no cash on hand.

— In the secretary of state’s race, first-term incumbent Delbert Hosemann of Jackson has spent $557,473 and has $471,580 cash on hand. Hosemann defeated Gulfport City Councilman Ricky Dombrowski in the GOP primary and is unopposed in November.

— In the insurance commissioner’s race, first-term incumbent Mike Chaney of Vicksburg has spent $106,302 and has $402,824 cash on hand. A finance report for Democrat Louis Fondren of Pascagoula was not immediately available. The Reform Party’s Barbara Dale Washer of Hattiesburg has raised $200 and has no cash on hand.

via Bryant leads DuPree in Miss. gov race fundraising; Hood ahead of Simpson in atty gen’l contest | The Republic.

Related articles

• Candidate for governor unveils education plan – WLOX-TV and WLOX.com – The News for South Mississippi (mississippipep.wordpress.com)
• Johnny Dupree wins historic Miss. nomination (cbsnews.com)
• Black Dem faces tough race for Miss. governor (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Bryant focuses on job creation – Elections – SunHerald.com

In a meeting with the Sun Herald on Wednesday, Bryant said as governor he would be focused on creating jobs and keeping existing jobs.

He outlined his jobs program, which includes keeping corporate taxes low and creating a “Governor’s Regulatory Commission.” He said this 12-member civilian panel would review current regulatory practices to ensure fairness and make the state more business friendly.

Bryant said he would push to phase out the inventory tax and reduce the sales tax on construction equipment.

He said the state must expand its energy exploration and production, and look to new technologies such as biofuels, clean coal and nuclear and solar engergy “to ensure Mississippi maintains its roles as a world leader in energy production.”

Bryant said he would continue to promote tourism on the Coast and statewide.

“There are 81,000 direct and indirect jobs in Mississippi in tourism and travel,” he said. “That’s 81 Toyota plants.”

Bryant said he would also work to bring more manufacturers to the state. He said he would love for the state slogan to change from “the Hospitality State” to “We Make Things.”

Bryant refuses to take campaign donations from casinos, and said he opposes them expanding to jurisdictions beyond where they are now. But he said he fought any efforts in the Legislature to raise their taxes and he doesn’t oppose the industry.

via Bryant focuses on job creation – Elections – SunHerald.com.

Scott County Times – Legislature should not punt to the courts on redistricting

Our legislators still have the opportunity to decide how congressional districts will be distributed without being told by federal life-term judges dictating how the lines will look.

In the latest developments of the redistricting soap opera, Mississippi’s Republican Party is asking for the federal court to decide the boundaries of the state’s four congressional districts because the Party does not feel the Legislature can get the job done before next year’s election primaries. Considering the Legislature’s recent track record on redistricting, one can hardly blame the GOP for their concerns.

Keep in mind that many of our federal judges were appointed by Republican presidents, possibly leading the Mississippi GOP to hope the judges would be favorable to Republican stronghold areas of the state.

Still, asking the federal court to do the job that our elected state leaders should have already completed during the regular session is not fair to our voters. Mississippians held directly accountable to the voters should decide how the districts are drawn.

This is not a suggestion that the judges can’t draw the districts. We are only suggesting that it is not the judges’ place to do so. It is the responsibility of state elected leaders. That’s what we send them to Jackson to do.The next regular legislative session begins January 3 which is 10 days before the qualifying deadline for congressional candidates to file their candidacies for the March 13 primaries. The U.S. Justice Department, as usual, must approve our districts which can take 60 days or more but if they show sensitivity to our situation, they can expedite the process.

via Scott County Times – Forest, Mississippi.

Independent Poll Shows Republican Cindy Bryan With Large Lead

Mississippi District 91 House of Representatives candidate Cindy Bryan has been waging a strong campaign against Democrat Bob Evans—but few observers expected the results of a recent independent poll.  Conducted September 20 through 26, the poll of likely voters found that Bryan, a fiscally conservative Republican focused on job growth, leads the incumbent Evans by 9.4 percentage points, more than twice the margin of error.

Thirty-five percent of the voters polled in a representative sample of the district favored Bryan, while 25.6% favored Bob Evans.  Since the lead is greater than twice the poll’s 4 point margin of error, Bryan’s lead clearly puts this race in the Republican’s winnable column—considered impossible just months ago.

Another surprise finding in the poll is that Democrats in District 91 no longer hold a majority.  Only 41.5% reported that they were Democrats, 31.5% called themselves independents or unaffiliated, and 27% reported that they were Republicans.  Since the independent/unaffiliated voters preferred Bryan to Evans by a 2-to-1 margin, Bryan is currently the candidate to beat.  Still, most (39.4%) voters are undecided at this point in the election cycle.

“Mississippi voters are hungry for leadership—not just talk, divisive politics, and promises,” said Bryan.  “My record as mayor shows that I can deliver results and bring people together to meet any challenge.”

Bryan’s campaign is gaining momentum rapidly, particularly since a leading industry advocate, the Mississippi Manufacturers Association Political Action Committee (MMA PAC) gave her a resounding endorsement.  That endorsement followed another critical endorsement from the Associated Contractors of Mississippi, a key advocacy group seeking to create better job conditions for the construction industry.

Bryan will face Evans in the District 91 House of Representatives race in the general election on Tuesday, November 8.  Representatives in Mississippi serve four-year terms.

via OfficialWire: Government: Independent Poll Shows Republican Cindy Bryan With Large Lead.

Brandon Jones gets police badge of approval

Brandon Jones

Rep. Brandon Jones, D-Pascagoula, has received the endorsement of the Mississippi Police Benevolent Association for re-election.

In a letter to Jones, Chris Skinner, the Mississippi division president for the association, said, “We will ask our members, their friends and families, and all citizens who respect the strong and efficient enforcement of our laws to cast their ballots in the upcoming election in your favor.”

“I am honored to have the support of the brave men and women who protect Mississippi families,” Jones said. “I will continue to make sure our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to keep our streets safe.”

The MPBA represents sworn law enforcement officers and support personnel by providing legal services and advocating changes to improve the quality of work life for people employed in all aspects of criminal justice.

Jones faces Republican candidate Charles Busby in the November general election.

via Brandon Jones gets police badge of approval; Phil Bryant shindig planned (Political Skinny) | gulflive.com.

GOP asks US judges to draw Miss. congressional map – Houston Chronicle

JACKSON, Miss. AP — The Mississippi Republican Party is asking federal judges to redraw the states four U.S. House districts before the 2012 elections.

In court papers filed this month, the party said theres “no likelihood” that legislators will handle congressional redistricting on time.

The next regular legislative session begins Jan. 3. Thats 10 days before the congressional candidates qualifying deadline for the March 13 primaries.

The U.S. Justice Department must approve Mississippis new congressional maps to ensure they dont dilute black voting strength, and the review process generally takes at least 60 days.

“Theres no time for legislators to take it up during the qualifying time, so we thought it was in the best interest of candidates for Congress to have adequate time to know what their districts are going to be,” Republican Party chairman Arnie Hederman said in an interview Monday.

Democrat Tommy Reynolds of Charleston, chairman of the House Elections Committee, said he believes its possible to handle congressional redistricting in a special session this fall.

“For the life of me, I cant see why there couldnt be an agreement worked out,” Reynolds told The Associated Press.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour said late last month that hed prefer that legislators redraw the congressional districts, instead of judges. But he said he wont call a special session unless theres an agreement in hand.

“Theres no use in bringing the Legislature in here to sit around and spend money when theres no agreement,” Barbour said Aug. 29.

via GOP asks US judges to draw Miss. congressional map – Houston Chronicle.

Houston Receives Legislative Endorsement

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus lended its support to Gary Houston during a ceremony held at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Meridian on Sunday. Houston says he is grateful for the endorsement and hopes it will help him in his effort to move District 83 and Mississippi forward.

“They’ve come from all across mississippi to gather right here in Meridian and Lauderdale County to say we believe in the campaign to move Mississippi forward,” Houston says in reference to the endorsement from the Black Caucus. ” We don’t want to see our state legislature become one-sided.”

Houston will face Republican Incumbent Greg Snowden and Independent Sam Thompson in November’s general election.

via Houston Receives Legislative Endorsement.

State Treasurer Profile: Connie Moran talks economic development – The Dispatch

Ocean Springs Mayor and Democratic State Treasurer candidate Connie Moran hopes her message to voters helps fend off Republican opponent Lynn Fitch in the general election in November. Moran was unopposed in the August primaries.

The election has landmark potential to change the landscape of Mississippi politics, as Republicans make a push to gain majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives, as well as win the Governor and Attorney General races. The GOP hasn’t controlled the Mississippi house in more than 120 years.

The treasurer sits on 12 different boards and commissions that approve bond funding and infrastructure spending in the state. Being outnumbered by Republicans would hinder Moran’s ideas from ever getting off the ground.

She knows what she’s up against, as close to 20 elected Democrats in the state have switched to Republican since 2008.

“I would like for people to judge me, not by party label but by the programs and projects I’ve been able to get going in Ocean Springs,” Moran said Sept. 20 on a campaign visit to Starkville. “Look at my background, educational experience and my values.”

As she sipped coffee in a cafe in downtown Starkville, Moran referenced similarities between her push to pass a bond referendum for a municipal complex in Ocean Springs and Starkville’s upcoming justice complex referendum. Moran was able to get a 2-percent levy on restaurants and lounges, which helped fund a new police station, jail, court room and sportsplex in 2007. Moran reduced costs by acquiring a grant for the land and avoided using bonds.

via State Treasurer Profile: Connie Moran talks economic development – The Dispatch.

Barker, Cook vie for rep post

Democrat David Cook has run in political circles for years, working for such former Mississippi officeholders as Sonny Montgomery, Ray Mabus, Brad Dye and Dick Molpus.

Republican Toby Barker has been within the state’s inner circle the past four years, serving in the state House of Representatives.

The two will meet Nov. 8 in the general election with the District 102 House seat up for grabs. The district falls within Forrest and Lamar counties, with Hattiesburg at the heart.

Barker, director of the Southern Mississippi Business Assistance Center, said he has been “walking my district, five to six days a week since April,” spreading his pro-Hattiesburg and fiscally-responsible philosophy to his constituents.

“That’s the message that we’re trying to get out there, pushing an agenda that makes Hattiesburg strong,” said Barker, who defeated Ric McCluskey in the Republican primary in August.

That agenda features a three-pronged plan: bolstering economic recruitment and entrepreneurship; protecting the interests of hospitals, doctors and nurses; and supporting education, particularly the area’s senior and junior colleges.

“Almost the entire district is within the city,” Barker said, “and those, I believe, are common themes wherever you go.”

Cook, who has worked as a medical administrator and consultant for the past 15 years, was a pre-teen when his grandmother, Evelyn Gandy, ran for office.

He became more actively involved in the political realm through high school and college.

But this will be Cook’s first foray into an actual race.

“I got into this because, as a whole, I believe that (University of Southern Mississippi) had not been receiving adequate representation,” Cook said. “That would be one of my top priorities.”

Cook said his medical background had educated him on the critical need for the state to fully fund Medicaid and he also would push for continued economic development and more funding for public schools.

“I would work to raise teachers’ salaries to the Southeast average so to better attract and keep quality teachers,” Cook said.

Cook, who ran unopposed in the primary, said he is hoping to appeal to voters who “don’t vote the party vote, necessarily, but vote the person.”

via Barker, Cook vie for rep post | Hattiesburg American | hattiesburgamerican.com.