2011 Candidates Begin To Make Noise

A couple stories of interest on the lieutenant governor’s front today. First, State Sen. Billy Hewes- who has formally announced his intentions of running for the number two job- sent out a presser saying he recently had a standing-room-only event with more than 100 people in attendance in Rankin county.

Here is some of what Hewes said: “My message of Mississippi’s needing to continue the legacy of having strong, conservative, experienced leadership at the State Capitol continues to be well-received. The office of Lt. Governor is the most critical in our state regarding the policies government enacts, the tax revenues it collects and spends, and the direction we take as a state on economic development, job creation, and on every other issue of importance to all Mississippians. Unlike some jobs, the position of Lieutenant Governor does not lend itself well to on-the-job-training. We need to reload, not rebuild.”

Hewes is the only candidate seeking office who currently serves in the Senate- the body the lt. gov. presides over- and serves in a leadership role. I expect him to make that experience a central issue of his campaign.

And one of the men Hewes will most likely face- Tate Reeves- had his own event last night. At a fundraiser in Jackson, Y’all Politics is reporting that it brought in around $500,000 to add to his campaign war chest. Reeves hasn’t formally announced his 2011 plans, and apparently didn’t tip his hat last night either. However, when someone has around $2 million- and the proven ability to raise more- they can generally do whatever they want to.

Jackson Jambalaya has an image of the invitation for Reeves’ reception. You will notice a familiar last name among the headliners which will have people speculating about whom Haley Barbour is really supporting- even though I can say with confidence he won’t be publicly backing anyone.

The third name that gets thrown around from time to time when looking at lieutenant governor candidates in Auditor Stacey Pickering. While Pickering may have a good future in the GOP, I don’t see how he matches the fundraising prowess of Reeves and Hewes and I would guess he notices what he is up against before making 2011 plans.

Speaking of Pickering… We can’t say for sure what the state Auditor is thinking when it comes to 2011, but we do know he will be in Brookhaven tonight for a ‘meet and greet’ with residents and city officials. Pickering will speak about issues pertaining to his office and then take questions after that.

When will Hosemann announce 2011 plans? A race that will prove to have- most likely- just as many fireworks as the GOP primary for lite. guv. is the one for governor. Bobby Harrison put it well recently: “All eyes will be on Hosemann at Fair.” The thinking behind that is a very valid point- Hosemann is the only man who hasn’t really tipped his hat about what he is thinking come 2011. It would be quite the show if Hosemann announces he is running for governor from the stage at Neshoba.

Odds and Ends. A few other stories I wanted to bring to your attention. **State Rep. Bobby Moak (D-Bogue Chitto), who I have mentioned as a rumored candidate for Speaker of the House is also chairman of the House Gambling Committee, and he has come out in favor of the Choctaw casino on tribal lands in Jones county. This makes him possibly the highest ranking official to support these plans. ***One name that is being floated as a possible candidate for U.S. attorney from North Mississippi is state Sen. Gray Tollison (D-Oxford). Rep. Travis Childers has confirmed that Tollison is being considered and praised the state Senator. ****Our favorite lesbian celebrity- Constance McMillen- the teen who sued Itawamba schools because she couldn’t take a female to prom and said it wasn’t about the money will be taking home around $35,000. What is worse is the school district was forced to add “sexual orientation” to their anti-discrimination policy. Be warned- the ACLU will be coming after every single school district in Mississippi. They have planted their flag in the state and will not leave until they can re-write every law and statute to satisfy their secular desires.