Rankin Ledger profile Harper, Gill race

Rankin Ledger - Harper, Gill to face off Nov. 4

Gill, president of Mississippi Livestock Markets Association, said, among his top priorities, are providing for veterans, securing Social Security and a responsible energy policy. The Pickens alderman said military retirees are being treated badly, especially when it comes to receiving free medical care, which was promised to many veterans. "These men and women who gave 20 years of their lives are now being told we're not going to honor that promise," he said. "That's a slap in the face to these folks. We can't give them back their 20 years (of service)."

When it comes to energy, Gill said he wants a "reasonable" energy policy - allowing offshore drilling but supporting development of hydrogen and other alternative fuels for the future. He also said he supports constraints that would keep fuel harvested from America in America. Gill said he has worked in agriculture for 38 years, and he aims to reach out to the rural population. He said many areas of southwest Mississippi lack development and these economies are sorely hurting. "I'm hoping to be able to spur small business," Gill said. Gill lives outside of the 3rd Congressional District but said he spent a big part of his life in the district, including his childhood in northeast Jackson.

Harper, who has worked on numerous Republican campaigns, also listed energy as one of his top priorities. "We have to become energy independent," the Pearl resident said. "We just can't send our nation's wealth to the Middle East any longer." Harper said he supports drilling in Arctic Wildlife National Refuge and offshore, but he also sees a need for the development of clean coal technology.

Ending illegal immigration and helping families with special needs children are some of his other big issues. Harper said the United States needs to secure its borders and continue enforcing existing laws. He said he opposes amnesty. Harper has been involved in multiple political campaigns, and his first campaign was in 1978 for Charles Pickering, when he ran against Thad Cochrane in the Republican primary. "I've always been involved in campaigns," he said. He also has served as the chair for the Rankin County Republican Party for seven and a half years.

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

All Beef, No Bull

Joel Gill Spot

Thanks to Cotton Mouth for posting this.

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

Debate - Raleigh

According to Joel Gill's web page, there will be a debate between Gill and Gregg Harper in Raleigh on October 23 at 6:00 p.m.

Gill Catfish Fundraiser

Madison County Herald - Gill to hold fundraiser - A fundraiser rally for Joel Gill, who is running as a Democrat for the 3rd District congressional seat, is Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Al & Roses in Pickens. The cost is $20 for a catfish dinner. The event begins with entertainment and speakers from 9 to 11 a.m. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, of the 2nd Congressional District, Rickey Cole, Eric Fleming and Robert Clark are among the speakers for the event. Gill will speak from 11 a.m. to noon and then the catfish dinner will be served from noon to 1 p.m.

Gill in Brookhaven, Clarion Ledger

Brookhaven Daily Leader - 3rd District candidate brings message to area retirees - A 3rd Congressional District contender seeking to make his name known to voters in November visited Brookhaven Thursday as part of a summer-long tour of the district. Democratic nominee Joel Gill, D-Pickens, spoke before a meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Thursday at Western Sizzlin', promising to keep an eye out for Southwest Mississippi's senior citizens if elected to Congress.

Clarion Ledger Letter To The Editor by Joel Gill - Many Miss. residents share my 'positions'

Extremely Long Article on Gill and Harper

From the Flora Harvester (Hat Tip Y'all Politics): District 3 Candidates Ready for Drive to November

Gill at Obama Fest

Greg Snowden's blog - Hats Off To Joel Gill - Subscribers to The Meridian Star opened their Sunday paper to a front-page "above the fold" article about "Obama Fest 2008," a political rally staged over the weekend in downtown Meridian by the Lauderdale County Democratic Party. Featured in the accompanying photograph is Congressional candidate Joel Gill, microphone in hand, lustily exhorting the party faithful to elect Democrats in November. Why is this noteworthy? The truth is, it’s a rarity these days when any Mississippi congressional candidate not named Bennie Thompson actually admits to even being a Democrat. Joel Gill, however, is made of sterner stuff. You may disagree with his politics, as I certainly do, but you must salute Gill’s willingness to at least admit what he is. His honest approach to party affiliation will allow Third Congressional District voters a clear choice between his candidacy and that of his conservative Republican opponent, Gregg Harper.

Gill on Science

In his responses to Scientists and Engeineers for America, Joel Gill rejects the premise of global warming ("Being in the cattle business, I question why just now are cow bealches and flatulence being blamed for global warming. They have been preforming these natural functions since the beginning of time. I suggest that we are in a normal cycle that will in the next 100 years return to the cooler temperatures of the past.") and shares his energy policy ideas:

"With the rising cost of fuel, people will self limit and shift to those fuel efficient vehicles on their own so I do not favor mandating greater restrictions on manufactures. I support greater research to develop military vehicles that will be more fuel efficient and enviroment friendly. I favor more nuclear develpoment for electricty. I favor more research on hydrogen as a fuel. I favor providing credits to promote more usage of Geo thermal technology for home heating and cooling. For the immediate future, I favor expanded drilling operations both off shore and in ANWR and new refineries provided the oil stays in the United States and does not enter the world market. This must be coupled with a requirement to ensure no or very little reduction in the current amount of oil supplied to by sellers in this nation."

He also makes statements on the environment and stem cells, "I do not favor expansion of the current wetlands policies which encraoch on private property rights. I somewhat lean in favor of support more stem cell research."

Gill TV

Joel Gill is buying half-hour cable television time, according to Cotton Mouth - "The Gill for Congress 1/2 hour television show will begin airing every evening at 8 PM from Monday till election day on CABLE ONLY...A new show will be taped each week running the entirety of the week." Check out Cotton Mouth for channel details.

Is this a real Joel Gill interview?

This portrays itself as an interview between Joel Gill and Richard Barrett's racist organization. Is this for real?

The Joel Gill Interview

The alleged interview has Gill saying that he is elected as an alderman in an eighty-percent black town, "so I have to go in that direction." He mentions his first fundraiser is coming up and everyone there will be Obama supporters, and he can't come out against Obama because "I am right there at Holmes County and it is mostly black." Gill says he can't get close to Richard Barrett because "It would hurt my chances" and turned down a meeting with Barrett's people because "If my opponent found out and there were pictures taken, it could hurt me." When asked about a picture on his web site with Bennie Thompson, Gill says, "I wanted to show that I am a lobbyist. I am trying to get some support for my area. Did you, also, notice my picture with Trent Lott?" When asked about the flag vote Gill said, "Well, I am for our heritage." Gill describes his opponent Gregg Harper as "very flaccid" and says "not appealing." In the end, Gill says he was just returning the call but can not accept any support from Barrett's organization, but he'll take their money.

Gill opposes Flora National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

Starkville Daily News - Biolab’s safety questioned - In a meeting at the West Point Stockyard Thursday morning, cattlemen gathered to learn more and express concerns to representatives of the state's bid for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility. Stanley Scott, Mississippi's membership chair for R-Calf USA, an organization representing cattle producers, organized the meeting Thursday to ensure the possible concerns of those he represents were voiced. Before the meeting, Scott and Joel Gill, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative for the Third Congressional District, said they were concerned about the potential economic and health impact of the possible accidental release of an infectious disease like foot and mouth disease (FMD) into the Mississippi cattle population. Scott and Gill said they worry that FMD could escape the Biosafety Level 4 facility as previously occurred at the Plum Island facility (a Level 3 facility), but its separate and remote location prevented the disease from spreading off the island while the Flora site and the other proposed sites are located in populated areas. The release of FMD in 1978 at Plum Island was determined largely to be due to the age of the facility, said Dr. Bianca Garner, a microbiologist consulting on the project for the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. Older biolab facilities are more difficult to upgrade and maintain, especially when in a remote location like Plum Island, Garner said. By bringing the biolab to a mainland area, maintenance and upgrades could be more routinely performed, she said. Garner pointed to the safe operation of a Biosafety Level 3 facility at UMMC as representative of the feasibility of maintaining a high-level lab in a highly-populated area. Garner has worked in the UMMC lab in Level 3 with anthrax and holds FBI clearance and CDC certification. Gill supported the demolition and complete rebuilding of the facility on Plum Island. "I think we really need to upgrade the facility but in its current location," Gill said. "The diseases that they work with are far too dangerous." Gill currently serves as president of the Mississippi Livestock Markets Association, an organization of sale barns and licensed dealers in the state, he is also a second-term aldermen in Pickens and serves on the boards for the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and the Holmes County Cattlemen's Association. All the potential biolab sites are in major cattle feeding areas, Gill said. For Gill, the potential risk of a FMD outbreak is too great to the state. "In the name of economic development, I think it's too high a price to pay," he said. The economic impact of the $451 million facility is estimated at $3 billion to $5 billion over 20 years. "I think the economic impact is going to be much higher than that," Dzielak said. The lab's location in Mississippi could also push the state into the biotechnology sector, he said. Despite the answers Garner and Dzielak brought to the table, Scott and Gill remained concerned about the potential impact on their livelihoods from an outbreak of FMD. "I feel a little better about it," Gill said after the meeting, noting that he still is concerned, especially since he makes his living from the livestock industry. "I wish I could feel at ease about it ... but in light of this foot and mouth disease, I'm just a little nervous," Scott said. "It is in my mind as one of the world's most dangerous research labs and should be treated as such."

Gill Out - Shows In?

Ronnie Shows told Paul Gallo that people had approached him to run against Harper in November if Joel Gill were to pull out of the race, but seemed to dismiss the idea, according to Gallo Notes courtesy of Y'all Politics.

Gill advocates increased SS taxes on incomes above $102K

Commercial Dispatch - Tax issues atop Mississippi Democrats' to-do lists if elected to Washington - Raising the Social Security tax ceiling, eliminating income tax paid on overtime and regional transportation are a few of the issues Mississippi Democrats seeking federal office want to introduce in Washington if they’re elected.

“How can you be the poorest state in the nation and have everybody have to have a car?” asked Erik Fleming, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate running against longtime Mississippi Republican Thad Cochran. “Now, I’m not saying that Starkville is going to get an L-Train,” the Chicago native told the meager crowd Monday night during the Oktibbeha County Party annual Beans and Greens fundraiser, as he touted efforts to work toward regional transportation systems that might link communities like Starkville, West Point and Columbus.

Joel Gill, the Democrat from Pickens who will face Gregg Harper, the Republican from Pearl, for the chance to serve in the 3rd Congressional District, to replace retiring U.S. House Rep. Chip Pickering, wants to raise the ceiling on Social Security so high income earners will pay more, helping to make the system more solvent. The wage ceiling for 2008 is set at about $102,000, which means income above this amount is not taxed for Social Security.

What Gill and other Democrats like Fleming and Ronnie Musgrove — who was scheduled to speak at the Beans and Greens event but was unable to attend and will face Roger Wicker for Trent Lott’s old U.S. Senate seat — are counting on is large numbers of Democrats turning out in the November election, particularly if Barack Obama becomes the Democratic nominee for president.

Six days and counting

Clarion Ledger - Sid Salter - 2008 congressional races present important, difficult choices - Over in the 3rd District, Democrat Joel Gill of Pickens has sewn up the Democratic nomination and will be a serious candidate in November. But the makeup of the district still leaves the Republican nominee in the driver's seat and the GOP second primary features a tight, tough race between first primary front-runner former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon and longtime former Rankin County GOP chairman and Pearl attorney Gregg Harper. Ross, an experienced legislator with the pedigree of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Harvard Law School, has run a solid campaign and avoided most of the mistakes that plagued his failed 2007 GOP lieutenant governor's bid. Harper used an effective ground game, particularly in Rankin County and smaller counties on the east side of the district, to surprise the prognosticators in the first primary. Lott's backing Harper, while Ross has the backing of the influential Club for Growth. But Harper's support among evangelical voters may be the deciding factor - that and his relentless, thorough ground game.

ClarionLedger.com - Jere Nash - Update on Congressional Finances - Gregg Harper -- $139,161.25; Charlie Ross -- $241,612.20

ClarionLedger.com - Leah Rupp - On the road again... - I'm on the road with Republican 3rd Congressional candidate Gregg Harper. We're heading to Brookhaven, Natchez then back up to Meadville. Natalie (my colleague at the Capitol) was out with Charlie Ross — Harper's opponent in the run off April 1 — earlier this week. Which one do you like? And why? Or perhaps you like Democrat Joel Gill of Pickens? What are each candidates strengths and weaknesses (in your opinion)? Your favorite reporter has to write a profile this weekend.

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Meridian Star - Congressional candidates meet voters - All three candidates currently running for the 3rd Congressional District seat were in Meridian Tuesday to speak, answer questions, and mingle with voters at a Young Professionals of Meridian forum at the Hilton Garden Inn on Highway 11/80. The candidates appeared before about 120 voters at the YPM function, each giving a five minute speech about themselves and answering three questions from YPM members about health care, the war in Iraq, and the economy.

Charlie Ross said, "This race is not so much about Charlie Ross or Gregg or Joel. It's about you. What type of legislator do you want in the 3rd district?" Ross spoke of his record as a state legislator, and compared himself to the late former congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, saying that they both served 10 years in the state legislature, were both veterans, and that he hoped to follow in Montgomery's footsteps. "I believe in public service," he said. "I believe in being accessible, and I will have a fully staffed office in Meridian."

Harper talked about education in his introduction. "To be in the fight, you need to be in the system," he said. "That's why our kids are in public schools," adding that he felt many parents of public school children would agree that "No Child Left Behind needs some work," saying that it was a problem for both students and teachers. He then moved on the subject of illegal immigration, saying, "I'm sick of...tax dollars going to pay benefits to illegals," and that much of the illegal immigration problem could be solved by securing the borders and enforcing the current immigration laws.

Ross also spoke about immigration, saying that the first step in solving the problem with illegal immigration is securing the border. "We can secure a border, and we need to secure our southern border just like we secured our northern border against the Soviets," Ross said.

Gill made his first public appearance in Meridian at Tuesday's YPM function. He opened by apologizing for not being present at the debate held in Meridian last month, saying," I had given my word that I would chair the RKF convention in Omaha," even before deciding to run for the congressional seat. He then joked about the number of candidates who had been in the Republican primary, saying, "I'm proud to say of the three of us here I was able to garner the greatest vote total and I hope to do that again in November." Gill, a town alderman from Pickens who is in the livestock business, talked of the damage that he feels big box stores and free trade agreements have done to American workers, saying, "The physical toll on individuals is devastating," and that free trade agreements put both foreigners as well as Americans out of work, contributing to illegal immigration. Gill also proposed using the minimum wage to determine a person's tax deduction, so that an individual who made minimum wage would pay no taxes, while one that made a dollar over minimum wage would pay taxes on that one dollar, and so forth. He said he wants income tax rates to be determined by congressional spending because, "if you know that congressional spending is what's going to control your tax rate, then you'll be a lot more involved."

Ross touted his experience, mentioning laws he had written in that area, speaking of a tort reform law when talking of economic development, and "Jessica's law" when speaking of sexual predators. Of economic development in Lauderdale County, Ross said, "Meridian is prime for a new industry ... I fully support the new interchange...If you build it they will come." Ross also said that the cost of health care could be reduced by health insurance related tax deductions directly to individuals rather than doing so through their workplace, and that the economy could be strengthened by making the Bush tax cuts permanent.

Harper said that one way to address the health care problem was to reduce costs by slackening government regulations on hospitals. Of the war in Iraq Harper said, "I think the Republicans did a lousy job of articulating why we're in Iraq...It's about the war against fundamentalist Islamic terrorism," closing his Iraq comments with strong words, "Every time we get bombed then we ought to drop a hard bomb on Iran and Syria where all this garbage is coming from."

Ross, Harper in Meridian

Meridian Star - Hitting the campaign trail: Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross - Harper, an attorney, is particularly proud of his grassroots ground campaign in which friends, family, and other volunteers have been going door-to-door with him all around the district. "Sidney has worked harder than I have," he said of his wife's door-to-door campaigning. His daughter, Maggie, and his son, Livingston, also have participated in the door-to-door effort, and Livingston, who suffers from a developmental disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome appeared in a T.V. ad with his father. "Livingston has enjoyed the celebrity status," Harper said. Harper feels confident about his campaign, saying, "We do believe that many of the supporters of other candidates have gotten on board with us financially and by volunteering. The momentum has been building since March 11. We're raising sufficient funds to be able to do more than we were able to do in the primary, and we have one of the best volunteer grassroots campaigns that I've ever seen. And you don't create that in three weeks." Harper has been canvassing the entire district, but has not forgotten about Lauderdale County. In a recent rally at Union Station, he said that the race "is going to be won or lost in Lauderdale County," and that residents are, "going to think we live in Meridian by April 1."

Ross hasn't forgotten about Lauderdale County either, appearing shortly after the primary to announce endorsements by former opponents Bill Marcy and Greg Hatcher, both Meridian residents. Also present at that event was Gil Carmichael, a long-time Republican leader in Mississippi. He appeared in Meridian again shortly afterwards to open a new office here, saying "I will be your congressman, I will maintain an office in Meridian." The comment prompted Harper to mention at his event that "I was the first candidate to open up an office in Meridian." Both Harper and Ross have attracted sizable crowds at their events. Ross, a veteran and a state senator, has put a strong emphasis on military in his Lauderdale County campaigning, promising over and over again, "I will keep a flying mission at the Air National Guard in Meridian," and repeatedly referring to his veteran status. Ross also has pointed extensively to his experience in the state senate as a qualifying factor in his bid for the congressional seat.

Want to meet the candidates of the Third Congressional District – Democrat Joel Gill and Republicans Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper — and hear what they have to say about the issues? The Young Professionals of Meridian will host "Meet the Candidates" on Tuesday beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 109 U.S. Highway 11 & 80. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Each candidate will speak and answer questions; they will also mingle with the crowd. The event will last until about 7 p.m. For more information, e-mail ypmeridian@gmail.com, or call (601) 938-0087.

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WTOK - "On The Record" Features Congressional Candidates - The Republican runoff for the Third District Congressional race is just over a week away and both candidates have been spending a lot of time in East Mississippi. One candidate has actually said that the election will be won in Lauderdale County. The candidates appeared this weekend on "On the Record' with Newscenter Eleven's John Johnson. Here is what the candidates had to say.

"East Mississippi is an important part of what happens in Mississippi and I "believe this election will be won or lost right here in Lauderdale County, which is why I think it's so important to be here," said Gregg Harper.

"East Mississippi is such an important part of the district. I'm conservative and will be straight forward and accessible. I said early on that I will have an office in Meridian so people can talk to a live human being rather than over the phone. I'm committed to making Mississippi and the third district better," said Charlie Ross.

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WTOK - Harper, Ross to Debate on WTOK - Both Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross arrived at WTOK's downtown Meridian studio for a taping of "On the Record" ready to explain why they are the best choice for the Republican nomination for Congress.

"One of the things missing in politics is real focus on the issues," said Ross, referring to the limitations of 30-second sound bites. "I think it's important for the system and important for the public."

"I think people get a better glimpse. It's so hard to really know who a candidate is in a 30 second commercial," said Harper. "We feel we have done it the best we can, but it's much better to let people hear more of what you have to say."

Harper said it's that he can work well with others, while Ross says it's his experience that sets him apart.

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Meridian Star - Congressional hopefuls to make Meridian stop - Both GOP hopefuls for the Third Congressional district — Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper — will face off one week from today in a runoff election in the Republican primary. Today, both candidates, along with Democrat Joel Gill, will be in Meridian — an area they consider critical to the election — to meet with local voters. The Young Professionals of Meridian will host "Meet the Candidates" today beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 109 U.S. Highway 11 & 80. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Each candidate will speak and answer questions; they will also mingle with the crowd. The event will last until about 7 p.m. "I'm anxiously looking forward to it," Gill said of the event. "This will actually be my first chance to meet the voters in Meridian, and I'm looking forward to their questions." Ross said he was excited about the platform. "It is an opportunity to meet a large number of young professionals in a large place in Meridian," he said. "Meridian is critical in this election."

Candidates at MSU

The MSU Reflector - Hopefuls meet, greet students - SA hosts event for Congressional candidates - Gill said he does not believe in a fast track to citizenship for illegal immigrants but does believe in the privatization of Social Security.

Eads, on the other hand, said he does not support the privatization of Social Security. He said he wants to bring a swift end to the war in Iraq and increase efforts to secure the border. "The average citizen can no longer afford rising gas prices and continue to make ends meet," he said. "Oil companies are making record profits, and the record price of gas is causing a hardship on the American economy."

Landrum said he supports securing U.S. borders, protecting Mississippi values and providing families and small businesses alike with tax relief.

Marcy said he believes in national defense, does not support abortion and feels that illegal immigration must be stopped.

Ross said he is anti-illegal immigration, pro-business, believes in a strong national defense and does not support abortion. "I have a 100 percent voting record in the state legislature on pro-life issues," he said. "If you want to know what kind of congressman I'm going to be, you don't have to listen to what I say. Look at what I've done because I'm not going to change."

If elected, Rounsaville plans on increasing the amount of high-skill jobs in Mississippi and focusing on economic development. "I want to make sure that we have opportunity for jobs," he said. "If you leave the university with a good degree and grades you ought to have the opportunity to stay in Mississippi."

Salter on Leaders

ClarionLedger.com - Sid Salter Blog - 3rd District: Landrum, Ross likely to meet in the 2nd primary - The 3rd District is hard to handicap. Despite David Landrum's implosion on the issue of his voting record, he's run a well-financed, textbook campaign otherwise. He was virtually uncontested on TV for six weeks. His supporters are loyal. And the secret weapon?

Landrum has the friendship of Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who would like to see Landrum or any other Republican put a knot on the head of his old 2007 GOP primary opponent Charlie Ross. Ross hit Bryant hard during that bruising primary and there are hard feelings.

Ross has also run a good campaign. Ross has superior qualifications and has softened his stodgy image somewhat. His experience and his legislative record are strong and he's 2nd in the campaign finance parade behind Landrum.

Gregg Harper is relying on a big Rankin County ground game, but has been weak on TV. John Rounsaville has taken the fight to Landrum, but is unlikely to be able to move the needle enough to knock Landrum out of a runoff spot.

So I think you'll see a Ross-Landrum second primary. Then, it gets down to how much fence mending Ross can do with Harper and Rounsaville supporters and just how badly Phil Bryant wants to help Landrum put that knot on Ross's head.

Landrum's campaign finances are limited only by his own considerable checkbook. Ross will have to depend on contributions.

On the Democratic side, I think Pickens alderman Joel Gill will get the nomination. He's campaigned hard, which is more than you can say for his primary opponent.

Eads v Gill

Meridian Star - Randy Eads, a “true Democrat” - With the 3rd District being so heavily conservative, many, including several of the Republican candidates, have expressed a feeling that whoever wins the Republican primary wins the general election as well. Randy Eads disagrees. As one of the two Democrats running, he says the 3rd Congressional District has had enough of the way things have been going.

Eads, a 30-year-old recent graduate of Mississippi College Law School, is a native of Virginia who holds additional degrees in history and economics, and he says that he is a "true Democrat." Being a "true Democrat," he says, is what makes him stand out from his Democratic opponent, Joel Gill, of Pickens. "I think several things set me apart from (Gill)," he said.

Eads believes that a strong academic educational system is needed to attract corporation executives who are thinking of their own children's educational needs, and that strong vocational training is needed to attract corporations who do not wish to provide expensive training to workers themselves. He believes that our infrastructure and location are already good enough to attract more industry than we currently have, and that it's the image of poor education that holds Mississippi back. "There's no reason (major corporations) shouldn't be here," said Eads. "It's an image problem."

As for illegal immigration, Eads said: "It would not make fiscal sense to round up 12 million immigrants and ship them back to their country of origin." Rather, he says, the solution to the problem of illegal immigration lies in firmly securing the southern border and giving illegal immigrants who are already here a chance to repay their debt to society and then become legal. "They would have to pay a fine, " he said, "and not a $500 fine or a $1,000 fine, a substantial fine for being here illegally, and have a criminal background check."

Though he has little political background, Eads feels his three degrees and his refusal to take money from lobbyists qualify him for the job of congressman. "I can put my knowledge to good use," he said, "and I'm a good listener ... and I will do what's best for the people of the 3rd district."