State realtors group backs Harper

Starkville Daily News - State realtors group backs Harper

Earmarks; NRA endores Childers

DeSoto Times Tribune - Davis: End federal earmarks, Childers says earmarks "not necessarily bad"

Davis said the time has come to end earmarks as a means of getting federal spending under control. "We would sign a bill that would ban earmarks," Davis said Friday, echoing comments he made in a televised debate with Childers at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday.

Childers said he does not want North Mississippi to miss out on federal funds for badly needed projects, and therefore is not inclined to categorically ban them. "If every member of Congress were willing to join a pact saying that they wouldn't take earmark appropriations, then I would be the first one to sign on. But if big states throughout the country continue to accept these funds, I'm not going to sit idly by while North Mississippi falls behind. There are legitimate projects in this district that need funding, and I'm going to fight for what's best for this district."

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Commercial Appeal - NRA endorses Rep. Childers

Daily Journal - Few watching the House race

DeSoto Times Tribune - Southaven to host Veterans Day luncheon

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Just for kicks. Clarion Ledger - Custom of civility goes missing in Senate race

Harper Makes Endorsement Rounds

Mississippi Association of REALTORS® to Endorse Harper on Tuesday

Business groups endorsing Harper - With only three weeks remaining before the Nov. 4 general election, Mississippi 3rd Congressional District candidate Gregg Harper pulled his big blue charter bus into Brookhaven once again Tuesday to publicly accept the support of several state and national business groups. The Pearl Republican stood on the steps of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning to receive the endorsements of organizations such as the Mississippi Association of Realtors, the National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

WLBT - Harper takes on Gill to replace Pickering in 3rd congressional district

Harper in Natchez with Realtors, NFIB

Natchez Democrat - Harper makes Natchez campaign stop - Congressional candidate Gregg Harper stopped in Natchez Tuesday to receive endorsements from two small business associations. The Mississippi Association of Realtors and the National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Harper, the Republican candidate for Mississippi’s Third Congressional District, at a press conference at Crye-Leik Stedman Realtors. Mississippi NFIB director Ron Aldridge said small business is the heart of the economy, and Harper would “take some good, old-fashioned Mississippi common sense to Washington.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Builders and Contractors also endorsed Harper Tuesday, but representatives were not present at the conference.

Harper Announces Endorsements

WTOK - Harper Announces Endorsements - At a Meridian news conference, the Republican announced endorsements by the Mississippi Association of Realtors, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Mississippi, the National federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Animal Owners and Animal Killers Endorse Gill

Skinny Moose Media - The Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance (SAOVA) endorsed Joel Gill for Mississippi’s 3rd district open seat congressional race. The Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance (SAOVA) is a nationwide, nonpartisan group of volunteers lobbying legislation and seeking to elect politicians who will oppose the animal rightist threat to our rights as Americans. Our members hunt, fish and own livestock, dogs, cats and other

Cheney to stump for Davis

Commercial Appeal - Cheney to stump for Davis - One of the Republican party's biggest guns, Vice President Dick Cheney, will come to DeSoto County Monday to bolster the congressional bid of Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. The White House confirmed Monday that Cheney will stump for Davis on the eve of his runoff with Democrat Travis Childers to fill the 1st District House seat until January. The rally at the DeSoto Civic Center, Interstate 55 at Church Road, will begin at 3 p.m. Cheney is expected to attend just the one campaign event, spokesman Jamie Hennigan said. To RSVP for Monday's event, call the Davis campaign line at (662) 996-1114 or go to gregdavisforcongress.com for more information.

Obama for Childers

Good catch over at CottonMouth with this endorsement of Childers by the Obama Campaign. WillBardwell.com mentions, "Notably, Hillary Clinton's campaign did not send out a similar message to its Mississippi e-mail recipients. If Childers ends up winning this thing, then I assume that can't help her chances of snaring his superdelegate vote."

Hatcher Endorses Ross

HatTip: Y'all Politics

"During my campaign through the whole district I never met a Charlie Ross supporter who worked to exclude me or discouraged my efforts as a candidate. In every instance Charlie, his family, campaign staff and supporters always made the "newcomer" feel welcome. I am pleased with their honorable campaign. Please join me and vote for Charlie Ross on Tuesday, April 1st." - Greg Hatcher, Former MS-03 Republican Candidate, 4/1/8

Yancey Endorses Harper

Lee Yancey, who now occupies the senate seat formerly held by Charlie Ross, has endorsed Gregg Harper.

Madison Journal: Harper for Congress

Madison County Journal - EDITORIAL/Gregg Harper for Congress - Tuesday's Republican run-off election between Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross in the Third District will more than likely give the victor a straight ticket to Washington. The race between Harper and Ross is expected to be a horse race.

Either man would represent the district well. Ross has paid his dues in the halls of the state capitol as an experienced and knowledgeable legislator. He knows the mechanics of lawmaking.

Harper has paid his dues in the trenches of the Rankin County Republican Party and has developed a loyal grass roots following traversing the district in a bus once owned by Garth Brooks, which, frankly, has been one of the more interesting aspects of an otherwise dull campaign.

Ross could have no finer endorsement than Aaron Rice, the boyish Iraq war veteran who lost his left leg below the knee in a land mine attack in 2005. What a great American!

But a few key factors stand out about Harper which make him the most logical choice in this otherwise flip-of-the-coin race.

Harper is a fiscal conservative who wants to put an end to the wasteful Washington spending. He believes in a financially strong America. He has been an advocate of the Second Amendment and is quick to tell you he is a lifelong member of the NRA. Harper has also spoken out against illegal immigration, as did most every other Republican candidate. He is a strong advocate of public schools, educating his own children in them. Harper is personable and we believe will be more accessible, but he'll need to surround himself with good people knowledgeable about important issues like transportation, education and economic development.

Vote Gregg Harper for Congress on Tuesday.

Coleman, Neely endorse Holland

Calhoun City Alderman Marshall Coleman and Tupelo Attorney Brian Neely endorsed Steve Holland. HatTip: CottonMouth - Holland Picks Up Endorsements From #3 and #4 Finishers

Marcy, Hatcher Endorse Ross

WTOK - Ross Gets Candidate Endorsements - Former state senator Charlie Ross Friday picked up the endorsements of Meridianites, Bill Marcy and Greg Hatcher. Those two men both ran against him in the primary, but were not among the top two in votes. They endorsed Ross during a news conference outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse. "They're conservatives like I am. They believe in the same pro-life, pro-second amendment, pro-jobs, pro-national defense agenda," said Ross. "I'm especially proud, because there were two candidates in this race from east Mississippi, specifically Meridian, and both of them have chosen to endorse me."

Meridian Star - More endorsements for Charlie Ross - Now that Greg Hatcher and Bill Marcy, the two Republican Meridianites who ran for the U.S. House in the 3rd Congressional District primary March 11, are out of the running for that seat, they have both given their endorsements to former opponent Charlie Ross. Ross will face Jackson area attorney Gregg Harper in an April 1 run-off election for the seat, which will be vacated by Chip Pickering at the end of term. Hatcher said at a press conference Friday that he chose to endorse Ross because of "the depth of knowledge and service he has given Mississippi." Marcy said he gave his endorsement because he feels Ross "comes with a mass amount of experience... He's done a lot of wonderful things for the state and Meridian.

The Gregg Harper campaign released the following statement in regard to Ross' endorsements: "Endorsements are certainly one of many aspects important to Gregg Harper's campaign. Next Thursday, March 20, we will also be announcing several significant endorsements for our campaign at a news conference in Meridian."

TheStarBlog notes that Gil Carmichael is also on board with Charlie Ross.

Daily Journal Endorsement: McCullough

Daily Journal - Editorial: Glenn McCullough - The race for the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District seat in the U.S. House offers voters a clear choice based on knowledge, experience, vision, and perspective needed to serve north Mississippi: Glenn L. McCullough, Jr. McCullough - first a successful private-sector businessman, then Appalachian Regional Commission director in Mississippi, then mayor of Tupelo, and then chairman of TVA - is a champion of economic growth, jobs creation, efficient government and ethical public service. He understands the critical nature of regional cooperation and initiative, giving him a unique perspective among the 1st District candidates. McCullough's two Republican opponents are good men, but their experience and qualifications don't match McCullough's reach. In 1999, McCullough resigned as mayor of Tupelo, where his vision and leadership jump-started the Fairpark District downtown redevelopment, to became the first Mississippian in almost 40 years confirmed to the Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors. In 2001, he became the first Mississippian named chairman of TVA, the nation's largest public utility. McCullough's term at TVA was marked by a pivotal economic development decision: creation of TVA-certified megasites for watershed industrial development. It is bearing fruit today across the 1st District, most strikingly in the Wellspring project at Blue Springs, where TVA certification was a key in luring Toyota. His north Mississippi focus began at ARC, where he cut his teeth on public service regionalism and its focus on public-private partnerships. McCullough has said he will continue living in Tupelo if elected, as he did during his TVA tenure, in order to remain involved with family, church and community - the values that are his anchor. Criticism of his perfectly legal use of a TVA airplane for trips from Knoxville to Tupelo rings hollow, especially since his 1st District opponents have all promised to stay close to their constituents by living at home and commuting to Washington on the taxpayers' dollar. McCullough is prepared to serve in the U.S. House by a career of local and regional leadership through consensus-building across political and geographic barriers. He is the best choice for the Republican nomination.

Ledger Endorses Ross

Clarion Ledger - Endorsement: Ross - In the 3rd Congressional District, Pickens alderman and businessman Joel Gill is the best choice in the Democratic primary. He enunciates a clear vision that has resonated across the expansive district and has run the most credible, active campaign.

In the Republican primary in the 3rd District, former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon has emerged from a strong field of candidates as the most experienced legislator and the candidate who offers the very credible ability to hit the ground running in representing the 3rd District's interests. On balance, Ross outpaces the GOP field in offering maturity, experience and a record of solid accomplishment in the Legislature.

Ross served in Desert Storm and understands perhaps better than any Republican candidate in the 3rd District race the challenges the nation faces in the wars on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. That experience uniquely qualifies him to carry on legendary U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery's service to America's veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists.

Ross can be effective on the first day he goes to Washington.

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Clarion Ledger - Letter to the Editor - Ross will quickly get job done in Congress - We have a critical national office to fill and we can't afford to send an inexperienced person to represent Mississippi. This office is a two-year term that will require over a year for an inexperienced individual to become effective with his duties. Soon after he really gets indoctrinated, he has to plan and work and speak to assure his election for another two years. If we elect Charlie Ross, we will have a U.S. representative who will know immediately how to get the necessary programs done. He has proven this by his successful work done on tort reform. Our state has begun to see the results of what we are receiving from passage of this important legislation. Industries have started to consider and are coming to our state. This means more and better paying jobs for our people. The medical profession is no longer leaving our state or considering early retirement. We have the "castle doctrine" which helps us protect our homes. We can thank Charlie for this. We need a representative to work for our military. Who is better qualified for this job than a graduate from the Air Force Academy plus active duty with the Air Force in North Dakota? Then he flew C-141 Aircraft with the Mississippi Air National Guard in the Desert Storm conflict. Think of the contacts with important people that he has known at the Air Force Academy and the regular Air Force. He has also made important friends while receiving his law degree from Harvard Law School. Charlie had a lot to do to get and expedite the four-lane highway over the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway plus many other accomplishments while in the Mississippi House and Senate. I will admit that he has good people running against him, but none can get started as soon as he arrives in Washington like Charlie. He knows how the political world works and how to get results. - Howard Richardson, Brandon

Blue Collar Republican for Greg Davis

BlueCollarRepublican.com - Greg Davis for Congress

Just Wild about Harper

Dear Friend,

The voters in the Third Congressional District have several good candidates from which to choose in the upcoming election. If you are not already committed to one of the candidates, I hope you will consider Gregg Harper. If you are already committed, I certainly understand.

Gregg is dedicated to working for the traditional values we believe in. I have no doubt that he will be a strong supporter of those values in Congress.

We need people like Gregg in Washington now more than ever. There is no doubt in my mind that if liberals gain control of government, those of us who believe in traditional values will have many major battles to fight. I want Gregg to be there leading the fight for us.

Be sure to vote. And if you feel so led, encourage your family and friends to join you in voting for Gregg Harper for Congress.

Thanks for caring enough to get involved. I urge you to go vote.

Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon

Insurance and Financial Advisors Endorse Ross

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Mississippi (NAIFA-MS) formally endorsed Charlie Ross for his Third Congressional District campaign. HatTip: MBJblog.

Andy Ross, son of Charlie Ross, has joined the staff of the Clarksdale Press Register as a staff writer.

Restaurant Association Endorses Ross

ROSS ENDORSED BY MISSISSIPPI HOSPITALITY AND RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
FOR THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

On Wednesday, the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association formally endorsed Charlie Ross for his Third Congressional District campaign.

"Small businesses are the cornerstone of our Mississippi economy. The Hospitality and Restaurant Association works on a daily basis to help local businesses. While in the state legislature, I stood up for our small businesses and when I get to Washington, I will continue the fight," Ross said. "I am very excited that the Hospitality and Restaurant Association has decided to endorse me for the Third Congressional District. Once again, this shows that pro-business, pro-jobs organizations know that I will be an effective pro-business, pro-jobs Congressman that gets things done. I am very grateful for this group's support."

The mission of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association is to unify, foster, promote, and protect the hospitality and food service industries. Currently, the association has 2,100 members.

AFA and Harper, Broadwater

An email from the Gregg Harper campaign announces the endorsement of Don Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association in Tupelo. The email from campaign manager Michael Craves says Wildmon "has decided to personally support Gregg's candidacy for Congress. Don will be contacting his friends from around the state with his decision. To say the very least, Gregg was excited and humbled by Don's decision. As you know, Don has been a long-time advocate of traditional family values, focusing primarily on the influence of television and other media on our society."

Meanwhile, James Braodwater has asked AFA to host a Values Voters Debate.

In an email to the American Family Association in Tupelo, Broadwater asks them "to host a Mississippi Values Voters Debate, patterned after the one held recently for the presidential candidates." The email reads, "Good morning. My name is James Broadwater and I am a Republican candidate for the Third Congressional District in Mississippi seat that Rep. Chip Pickering is vacating. I'm asking that you host a values voters debate which would be modeled after the one which was held recently for the presidential candidates.I would appreciate a quick reply to my inquiry. Blessings, James Broadwater".