A variety of state and local candidates stumped at the Lowndes County Republican Women”s luncheon Tuesday, touting their conservative credentials and private-sector experience.
Among those who were invited to speak were the three Republican candidates for state treasurer: Lynn Fitch, of Madison, Lucien Smith, of Jackson, and Sen. Lee Yancey, of Brandon.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran and possibly Reform Party candidate Jon McCarty, of Pearl, in the general election Nov. 2.
The Reform Party is currently lobbying the Secretary of State”s office to allow McCarty to run as its candidate instead of Shawn O”Hara, who registered with the party without its approval.
Yancey, the first treasurer candidate to speak at the luncheon, emphasized his religious background, pro-life stance and conservative voting record.
As an example of his fiscal conservatism, Yancey pointed to his opposition of the proposed state-funded Civil Rights museum, which he said was too costly.
“That”s what I do at home,” he added. “I ask what it costs.”
Smith, the former budget adviser to Gov. Haley Barbour and a member of the state bond commission, said the main focus of his campaign was to limit government spending and borrowing.
“As one of the governor”s budget advisers, I have been fighting against short-sighted decisions that look good on paper but leave the taxpayer”s holding the bill in the form of higher taxes,” he said.
Instead of making decisions like a politician, he said, he would make decisions with the taxpayer in mind.
“In the end,” he added, “you, I and the taxpayers across the state pay the bill.”
Fitch, who was appointed by Barbour to serve as executive director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board, emphasized her experience running a government agency as what set her apart.
“There”s no learning curve with me,” she continued. “You never have to worry if Lynn is getting it.”
Although the state should support economic development and bring jobs to the state, one of her main objectives would be to increase accountability and transparency in the treasurer”s office, Fitch said.
Gubernatorial candidate Dave Dennis, of Gulfport, and public service commissioner candidate Bobby Cox, of Southaven, also spoke at the meeting.
Dennis said his experience running a company, Specialty Contractors and Associates of Gulfport, gives him a leg up on some other candidates.
“The private sector is where the problem-solving takes place,” he said, adding that if voters want a career politician, “I”m not your guy.”
Dennis faces a long list of opponents in the Republican primary: Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, James Broadwater, Hudson Holliday and Ron Williams.
Cox said he would push for more use of the state”s natural resources to generate jobs.
“I want to be that person that stands in the gap (to keep money from leaving the state),” he said.
Cox, who opened his speech by criticizing President Obama and his family, is running unopposed in his district”s primary.
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