Updated: Your Next District Congressman Could Be...

Democratic:

Ronnie Shows - He was a Congressman until he was redistricted. If he decides to run as many expect Democrats will clear the field for him. Hopefully such a campaign would be better run than his last one.

Joe Warren - He is the State House Democratic Caucus Chair and would consider running if Shows doesn't.

Ronnie Musgrove - He considered running for something this time around (2007) but decided against it after having his campaign fund do polling. In more favorable conditions he might make the plunge. You know he wants it.

Republican:

NOT TUCK - She issued a press release saying that she is not interested.

Charlie Ross - With the center of the district including several powerhouse Republican counties he might be tempted to join and has a professional staff and name recognition from his failed race for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor.

Jeffery Rupp - Because Will Bardwell says so. I don't think he'd have a chance in the GOP primary against either of these two.

Updated: Jim Perry - 'Perry is the policy director for Haley Barbour and the former legislative director to Congressman Roger Wicker (R-Citizens Council). Perry also ran the policy shop on Barbour's 2003 gubernatorial campaign. In January 2006, The Hotline wrote of Perry that "GOPers are sure that 'at some point, he'll run for something.'"' - Will Bardwell

Overall what is amazing is that a Democrat can clearly win in this district. There are solid Democratic choices and the Republican brand has suffered a well deserved beating these last few years. George Bush is polling in the 40s even in all the white parts of the county and voters will be thinking of him and his war when they go to vote. Think '06 can't happen again? Voters' opinions haven't changed much since then and Republicans will lose more seats in 2008. Perhaps MS-03 can be among that number.

Updated 8/17/07 to reflect the Tuck Anouncement

The Way Things Were: Republican SOS Primary

A poll done in April for the Mississippi Education Association showed how Republican primary voters would have voted in the primary for Secretary of State. The results are as follows:

3.6% Delbert Hosemann
26.6% Mike Lott
9.5% Jeffrey Rupp
2.6% Gene Sills
57.7% Don't Know / No Reply

Mike Lott had some name recognition from his race against Congressman Gene Taylor in 2004 in which he took 35% of the vote. He also shares someone's last name. :) It will be interesting to see how spectacularly Hosemann's media campaign has succeeded when the totals come in next week.

A Tip Of The Hat:

Right of Mississippi has beat me to the punch on several things lately and I will post them bellow:

Ross' New Attack Ad can be found here:
http://rightofmississippi.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/giggity-giggity-giggity-i-love-attack-ads/ OR


Jeffrey Rupp has a TV ad up online:


ROM make the observation that "Rupp wrote, directed and produced the spot himself."

With the inside track and such a clean ad, I'd say Rupp decided to make a friend.

July 10th Update: Secretary of State Edition

Candidate's Name: New Donations This Period : Expenses This Period : Current Cash On Hand

Delbert Hosemann (R): $63,760.00 : $22,554.21 : $381,338.25
Mike Lott (R): $1,400.00 : $4,367.27 : $37,633.10
Jeffrey Rupp (R): $9,772.74 : $19,646.05 : $89,767.67
Robert "Rob" Smith (D): $3,727.26 : $4550.54 : $1776.72
John Windsor (D): $7,680.00 : $25,937.17 : $114,725.87

Exclusive Jeffrey Rupp Video from Mississippi Municipal League Event

Jeffrey Rupp was the second to give his stump speech at the MML yesterday. Unfortunately for him he followed directly after Max Phillips who couldn't quiet down his prop chicken.

Rupp's Campaign in Trouble?

Right of Mississippi posted earlier today that Rupp's campaign manager is leaving him.

An excerpt:

“Breaking news” out of Columbus, Rupp Campaign Manager Josh Blades has RESIGNED. Seemingly stalled fundraising success and Blades’ resignation could spell disaster for Jeffrey Rupp’s chances at the Republican nomination for Secretary of State.
...
With just over 40 days until the primary can ANY statewide campaign afford to lose their campaign manager?

Then he had the good fortune of having Rupp respond saying:

While we knew Josh’s departure would get the rumor mill going the truth is not nearly as exciting as the speculation. Josh has done a wonderful job creating a grassroots base for my campaign.We have mapped out a strategy from now through the primary. The remaining work will be public appearances and our media buys, etc., an area where I have more expertise than Josh.

Props to ROM for getting the candidate's response, but I agree with ROM it doesn't look good. A campaign manager doesn't often walk away from a winning campaign.

Why Don't State Republicans Agree With Barbour?

Charlie Ross disagrees with Haley Barbour.

Phil Bryant disagrees with Haley Barbour.

Jeffrey Rupp disagrees with Haley Barbour.

Delbert Hosemann disagrees with Haley Barbour.

Mike Lott disagrees with Haley Barbour.

I'm having difficulty finding a Republican who agrees with Haley Barbour on this issue.

Haley Barbour opposes mandatory voter ID.

At the Mississippi Press Association "forum*" he had this to say:

“I do think, the courts saying it has to be a photo ID, is probably farther than we need to go at the beginning…Maybe ten years from, we would make it a photo ID, I don’t think that’s necessary at the beginning.

It appears he is more in line with Democrats running statewide than Republicans. His example of bringing in a utility bill is one I've heard several Democrats give.

How do ya like them apples?

*The "forum" had been scheduled to be a debate but likely Barbour pressure changed the format so that he would not have to acknoledge John Arthur Eaves. Click Here For More Info