It is generally true decisions made closest to home have the most impact on our every-day lives. In that sense, what happens in Jackson often has more impact than what happens in Washington.
On Nov. 4, voters will go to the polls to determine who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate and chose a circuit court judge. But the race that may have a greater impact on our daily lives is the special election for District 17 state senator.
District 17 includes all of Lowndes County. Four men — Bill “Doc” Canon, Bill Gavin, Bobby Patrick and Chuck Younger — are competing to fill the unexpired term of Terry Brown, who died on Sept. 4 after a battle with cancer. The winning candidate will serve out the remaining year of that term and will likely be the odds-on choice to retain that seat when next year’s election is held.
Unlike the candidates in the other races, voters will have the chance to hear each of the four state senate candidates make his case in a debate format. Mississippi University for Women will host a candidates debate tonight at 7 at Poindexter Hall. Candidates will be allowed to make a brief opening statement, address questions from the audience and close with a statement. Members of The W’s student newspaper will serve as moderators for the event.
It is important voters take advantage of this opportunity because making an informed decision at the polls may influence the decisions that are made in Jackson when the 2015 legislative session begins in January.
The Legislature is expected to consider some matters of vital importance to our state, among them education funding, Medicaid expansion and, possibly, tax cuts.
We need legislators who will carefully consider each bill put before them and make decisions that truly represent our best interests. Often the popular choices are not the wise choices. Our next District 17 senator needs to be a thoughtful, courageous, well-informed voice for the people whose votes put him in office.
To achieve that, voters must be well-informed as well.
That is why we encourage voters to attend tonight’s debate. Listen carefully and, if you have questions — the tougher, the better — be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to present them to the candidates.
The decisions our next state senator will make directly affects us all.
Nov. 4 is the test. Tonight’s debate is the homework.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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