Travis Childers gains the Democratic nomination for District One defeating fellow Democrat Steve Holland 57 to 43 percent.
Greg Davis gains the Republican nomination for District One defeating fellow Republican Glenn McCullough 51 to 49 percent.
Early numbers show a positive sign for Democrats:
Total Democratic votes* cast: 36,014
Total Republican votes* cast: 33,081
More people voted in the Democratic primary with no other race on the ballot AND with a competitive Republican primary to attract voters.
Also I believe that DeSoto county would/will vote for the Republican no matter who is on the ballot. Tupelo is more Independent, so having a Democrat from the Tupelo area helps overall, while having a Republican from Southhaven has a much smaller benefit.
Travis Childers can win this race. He really can. This is great!
Gregg Harper defeats Club for Growth candidate Charlie Ross in a victory for reasonable people everywhere. It wasn't even close. 57-43
Republican Gregg Harper faces Democratic nominee Joel Gill in what can only be described as an uphill battle for Democrats.
I really thought the Democratic nomination in District 1 would be closer. I guess it's just a matter of which campaign got its supporters out.
ReplyDeleteI think the nastiness of the Republican race in District 1 could benefit Childers with Republicans in Tupelo. I sure hope so!
All our commenters have been saying Harper and they were right!
You nailed it John. Tupelo si proverbial "swing state". The Davis win makes this race a draw at the starting gun. Childers is good man and would make a fine Representative.
ReplyDeleteI selfishly won't mind having Steve Holland in Jackson being an public education advocate. Steve is key voice on the good side.
I endorsed Holland, but I'm glad to have him in the legislature as an advocate for Medicaid, caregivers, and other folks who need his support.
ReplyDeleteTheoretically, the four districts were apportioned to create two "safe" districts in District 2 (Democratic) and District 3 (Republican), and two "contestable" districts in District 1 (formerly Republican) and District 4 (Democratic).
If Childers beats Davis, then Democrats will control 3 of the 4 House districts. That's nothing to sneeze at, and could contribute to a Democratic landslide in November considering the number of Republican retirements and the fact that two-thirds of the open Senate seats are held by Republicans. The runoff turnout numbers are encouraging, considering that both parties had District 1 runoffs.
I'd also suggest that Wicker-Musgrove is probably the best chance Democrats have had to take a Senate seat over the past couple of decades.
Re Harper-Ross, I have so many problems with both of them that it's hard for me to care very much who wins on a policy level, but more of my friends support Harper than Ross, so I can take some comfort in the fact that some very good (albeit conservative) people are celebrating tonight. For my part, I expect to vote for Joel Gill but I don't expect him to win.
That said, however, I'm glad there is a Democratic nominee this year. No more of Jim Giles getting a double-digit percentage of the vote this time around.
ReplyDeleteI was for Steve. I am also in agreement that Childers is a good man and will be a great Congressman.
ReplyDeleteSteve's website is Thanking supporters and endorsing Childer's
http://weneedsteve.com/index.html
There is a good picture of the two.
Well, only half my wish came true. I am so glad that McCoullough lost. Childers can beat Davis.
Even if he don't Davis is a fairly decent republican/independant.
Dems can pick up this seat: District is 27% AA; Dems won PSC seat last fall by 15%. Davis is from wrong part of district....
ReplyDeleteThis race has the likelihood of becoming a huge national upset for the Republicans. Without much funding, the DCCC could win in a solidly pro-Bush District in Mississippi of all places! It could be a bigger blow to the Republican party than the Illinois special election for Hastert's seat.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican primary was vicious and bloody, with the nominee Greg Davis, coming out terribly wounded.
ReplyDeleteDavis was attacked on taking a pay raise and on raising taxes, but Childers built his profile on values, job creation, and fiscal responsibility, insulating himself from attacks. He won the Democratic runoff unscathed.
Childers came out golden, so Dems are going strong into the general election, as Davis limps along, packing his wounds. We may be looking at a new day for Dems in Mississippi!
I wonder if the DCCC will be willing to give the race a chance. I sure hope so.
ReplyDeleteThis would seem to dovetail beautifully with Dean's 50-state strategy--and a win here would augur very well for November.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that the Desoto County area is Pub, turnout is key for that to amount to anything. McCullough would not have been able to turn that area out 3 weeks after a runoff in which he attacked their guy. I agree situation is not ideal against Childers, but it would've been that way regardless of which Pub won runoff.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that the Desoto County area is Pub, turnout is key for that to amount to anything. McCullough would not have been able to turn that area out 3 weeks after a runoff in which he attacked their guy. I agree situation is not ideal against Childers, but it would've been that way regardless of which Pub won runoff.
ReplyDelete