Will Bardwell Covers The Younger Candidates Defeats (With One Exception)

From WillBardwell.com:

In statewide races, Democratic newcomers John Windsor and Jacob Ray met unexpectedly decisive defeats. In Vicksburg, Ryan Sadler lost by 21 points in his bid for the Republican nomination in House District 54. Another recent Ole Miss Law grad, Keith Ball, narrowly missed out on the GOP run-off in House District 104. And in south Mississippi, former Ole Miss student body President Nic Lott came up fewer than 70 votes short in the Republican primary for Senate District 34.

The only good news was that of Michael Watson, the 29-year-old political rookie that upended veteran incumbent Tommy Robertson in the Senate District 51 Republican primary. Coming into Election Day, Watson's challenge seemed the most undesirable of all the newcomers, yet he managed to pull the biggest -- and only -- upset of the night. Watson is a self-professed conservative with narrow views on immigration and diversity, and if I had a vote, I'd happily cast it against him in November. But if Watson manages to win, the injection of young blood into a legislature in dire need of a shake-up is a heck of a silver lining.

Check it out. It looks like he's been doing a good job covering the political newcomers.

How I Will Vote In The Democratic Primary

Governor: Though I have said that "Louis" Fondren is the hardest working candidate out there and I respect that, I would like to have a candidate who has a chance against Barbour. I will happily cast my vote for John Arthur Eaves and watch the fireworks as he further gets under Haley Barbour's skin.

Lt. Governor: This is simple. Vote for Jamie Franks as the Democratic nominee. He's a good man and an excellent candidate.

Secretary of State: Rob Smith has more experience and expertise, but a man who won't raise money on principle is also a man who will lose in November. John Windsor is an excellent candidate and he has a good campaign team. They can win this and I'm voting for him.

State Auditor: We are lucky in this race to have three good candidates and I suspect it will go to a runoff. Brand and Ray are both good campaigners and are able. One of the two will end up as the nominee. Mike Sumrall is the only candidate in either party with experience in the Auditor's office and if the position were appointed he would be selected. As a candidate who is so clearly qualified and able I must cast my vote for Mike Sumrall.

Attorney General: Jim Hood has done an outstanding job and I'm looking forward to 4 more years.

State Treasurer: Write in William Winter. He likely doesn't want it, but there is likely no better man in Mississippi politics.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce: Rickey Cole is a personal friend and the only candidate that qualified. I'll gladly cast my vote for him.

Commissioner of Insurance: "Politicians and diapers need to be changed frequently, often for the same reason." George Dale has been in office since 1976. Now that he is waist deep in insurance company contributions it is time he is retired and replaced with new blood. I will vote for Gary Anderson.

(I've brought this up again for people who said they had trouble finding it)

John Windsor Addresses Vote Buying Scandal in Benton County

The Windsor campaign issued this in a press release:

Windsor: Voter Fraud Must End; Honest, Well-Trained Poll Workers are the Key

Jackson – Secretary of State Candidate John Windsor held a press in the State Capitol Building on Wednesday afternoon to address recently uncovered allegations of voter fraud in Benton, County Mississippi.

A Memphis based television station broadcast a report on Monday that showed an undercover informant selling his vote on camera in Benton County. The Mississippi Attorney General's Office is reportedly investigating the alleged fraud.

"Voter fraud, in all its forms, must become a thing of the past," John Windsor said. "As the candidate with more than a decade of experience running local elections, I have said all along that clean elections begin and end with honest, well-trained poll workers. To ensure clean elections, our first priority must be working with local election officials to recruit honest people to serve as poll workers and provide those poll workers top-notch training. They are our first line of defense against voter fraud."

In both a recent voter intimidation case in Noxubee County, as well as the newly uncovered vote-buying scheme in Benton County, people involved as poll workers or election managers were implicated in the frauds.

Windsor , a former public school teacher, helped run local elections for more than ten years at home in Alcorn County. He most recently worked as an assistant attorney general under Jim Hood.

Current Secretary of State Eric Clark is not seeking election this year. Primary elections are on August 7. Windsor faces two other candidates in the Democratic Primary. Four candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for Secretary of State.

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The link to the Memphis TV Story is below:

This Is The Link You Are About To Click On

John Windsor on Age and Public Office

From the Daily Leader:

Windsor, of Corinth, at 29 years old is the youngest candidate seeking the office in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary. He will turn 30 before the general election in November, but he does not consider age a factor in the race.

"I think it's negligible," he said. "In the past it may have been a factor, but (State Treasurer) Tate Reeves was younger than me when he was elected."

Windsor is still often faced with surprise when initially meeting people. But after speaking with him, "they usually say we need more young people in politics," Windsor said.

Daily Leader Article

John Windsor Wins Support of MSRTL

From a Windsor press release:

John Windsor’s candidacy for Secretary of State has received the recommendation of the Mississippi Right to Life State PAC.

“As a Christian, I believe that life is sacred and that we have a duty to protect life, especially the lives of those who are most vulnerable – the unborn, children, the elderly, and the infirmed,” John Windsor said in response to the recommendation. “As a former public school teacher, I tried to shape young minds in a positive way, and as an Assistant Attorney General, I worked to protect vulnerable children. I am proud of this recommendation from MSRTL and honored to receive it.”

John Windsor is a Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State.

John Windsor Takes Stand Against Discrimination; Ike Brown

On Paul Gallo's radio show John Windsor called on Ike Brown to step down. When asked about Voter ID this was his response:

“Due to recent court decisions, it looks like voter ID is going to be a reality,” Windsor responded. “But, we have to be mindful when implementing this measure that, because of our past, some older Mississippians fear this may be used to intimidate voters. Whether it is a Republican in Florida, or a Democrat in Noxubee County, Mississippi, the Ike Brown’s of the world have to go. We cannot allow voters to be intimidated.”

And The Gloves Come Off

Delbert Hosemann issued a press release recently claiming that due to a particular formula that Northeast Mississippi public schools were being shortchanged by millions of dollars. In doing so he hopes to show support for public education in the state.

His likely Democratic opponent in the general election John Windsor responded saying the following to the Northeast Mississippi Journal:

"It seems mighty late in the day – for a man who has spent his adult life promoting the most elitist private school in Jackson that most Mississippians could not afford if they wanted - to come to North Mississippi and profess his love for public education when he is running for office," John Windsor said. "I know the importance of public school funding, because I went to public school in North Mississippi and later taught public school in North Mississippi."

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 John Windsor Video from Harrison County Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

John Windsor's First Ad (embeded)

He will likely be the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State. As of this moment Rob Smith has higher name ID (I think), but Windsor's cash advantage is huge. (to clarify from an earlier post)

An e-mail he put out yesterday says that they intend to begin airing it this week in North Mississippi.

John Windsor's First Ad

Windsor's Bio Spot

Winsdor faces Rob Smith in the Democratic primary. Smith started with higher name recognition, but has failed to raise substantial funds while Windsor has excelled. He's looking to me like he'll be the nominee.

John Windsor's Website