State Rep. Esther Harrison’s re-election campaign actually began when she qualified in January, but she held a kickoff event Thursday in the Lowndes County Courthouse to officially hit the ground running on the homefront.
The Democrat will face challenger Kabir Karriem for the District 41 seat in the Aug. 4 primary. No Republican is running for the seat.
Harrison, 64, was first elected to the state House in 2000. She is the vice chair of the state library committee and also serves on the investigate state offices, ports, harbors and airports, tourism and ways and means committees.
On Thursday, she said plans for her campaign will show she is “called, committed and dedicated” to continuing her service in the Legislature. She also touted her support for fully funding Mississippi’s Adequate Education Act, raising teacher pay and improving tourism opportunities in District 41 — which includes a portion of Lowndes County.
Harrison, a lifelong Columbus native, has battled several health concerns over the last decade, including kidney failure. She said she worked through the last legislative session while recovering from a December foot surgery. Still, she said her health is “improving” and it has not kept her from serving fully.
“Many of you know that I’m on dialysis, and I’ve been on dialysis since 2006,” Harrison said. “So I have been working in the legislature with that illness, an it has not hampered the job I am supposed to do.”
When Karriem announced his candidacy in January, he applauded Harrison’s years of service in the legislature but said he intends to be a more “hands-on” and accessible representative, if elected.
Harrison answered that critique on Thursday, as well.
“I was born and raised in Columbus-Lowndes County,” she said. “I’m living on the street I’ve always lived on. If the people don’t know where I live, they know where I go to church. So, I am accessible.”
On Thursday, Karriem told The Dispatch his campaign is “in full swing.”
“We’re trying to get out and shake as many hands as possible,” he said. “I’m not running against Ms. Harrison. I’m running for the seat. I want to make sure the people of District 41 are properly served.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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