Updates From The Treasurer’s Race
Lynn Fitch, Lucien Smith and Lee Yancey have been on the campaign trail throughout the state visiting with key groups in the traditional Republican areas for some time now. As we have noted Smith is the money leader by a large margin at this point, so he will have that advantage when the campaign decides to hit the airwaves. One interesting thought to consider on money as this is a three-way primary: Do you go all out for August 2 or do you save some cash in anticipation of a runoff?
That said, here are some notes on the campaigns:
** Yancey has a number of events lined up for the end of June including a fundraiser on June 21 in Ridgeland with Rep. Gregg Harper listed in the top line for sponsors. Check out the invite here. Harper will also headline a reception on June 30 in Columbus for Yancey. You can see that invite here.
** Fitch has released a campaign video on her website. It’s a three-and-a-half minute intro/bio type piece rather than a traditional 30 second ad. You can view it here.
** Yesterday, Henry Barbour endorsed Smith on Twitter. Here is what he said: “MS has 3-way GOP primary for treasurer. Lucien Smith is best candidate. Very bright, hard-working conservative. Hopefully, no run-off.” You may remember not too long ago that Smith also picked up the endorsement of former GOP Chair Brad White.
Amazing to see Congressman Harper chooses sides and doing so with public endorsements in GOP primaries.
I only wish he would focus on his role on the committee with FCC oversight as eagerly as he is to involve himself in inter-party races.
It’s not really amazing, Lee helped him in his race to be the Republican nominee.
^^ This.
Stogner, would you make the same comment with respect to Brad White or Henry Barbour and their endorsements of Smith? I do agree it is amazing that a congressman would have the courage to take a stand in someone else’s race but to me that only speaks to the political courage of Harper and to the strong testament it is to his belief that Yancey should be our next Treasurer. Gregg Harper’s judgment has been shown time and time again to be worthy of our confidence, I am sure it will in this case as well.
I have to agree with rankinlawyer. I’m for Yancey as well.
OK, as a “neutral observer”, I believe I’m pretty close to making my mind up, but I have a couple of questions. First, regarding Yancey, I was told he worked for a financial advising group in Rankin Co., but after asking a few folks I understand he’s in sales for them, essentially getting the firm business rather than actually handling people’s investments. Does anyone know? Second, is there any truth to him sending an email in April claiming Lynn Fitch lost custody of her children? I’m familiar with the family and can without a doubt discredit that claim, but I’ve never seen the email even though I’ve heard of it from a few different sources. For a preacher to do that in April of a down-ticket race says a lot, at least in my mind. Can anyone confirm or deny? Third, Lucien Smith is brilliant. Perfect ACT, SAT, and LSAT scores. Wow. But I find myself concerned over his age/inexperience. I actually became more concerned after doing some homework on the accreditation he claims, the one he says he’s “the only one in the race to have”. Did you know that it came from a 2-to-3 day meeting in a hotel ballroom? What’s worse is one of the presenters wrote “Investing for Dummies”, which is THE prerequisite for attending the meeting! The foundation was started in 2007, and it’s actually the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada. Here’s a link to the brochure for the conference: (http://www.aptusc.org/storage/documents/Marketing/Final_CPFIM_Brochure.pdf) Suffice to say I’m considerably less impressed, and his insistence on how meaningful it is pushes me farther away. Thoughts there? Fourth, regarding Lynn Fitch, I continue to hear the biggest knock is name I.D. and inexperience. However, hasn’t she been working at Haley’s appointment since 2004? I’ve seen she was a private sector bond attorney and actually served as the attorney for the House Ways and Means Comm. and the State Treasurer. I’ve been around and was pretty unfamiliar with her resume though I am, like I said, familiar with the family. Even though she doesn’t have “political experience”, do yall see her career qualifying her for the job? Like I said, I’m pretty close to making up my mind. After this post, it’s probably clear I’m leaning towards Fitch based on resume more than “who she is”. I’m just looking for some commentary – it’s hard to find much chatter on this race. Thanks in advance!
Yancey does work for an investment firm in Rankin Co. Has worked for them for the last 4 years (since he became Senator). As I understand it, he hasn’t passed all the required tests to become a Certified Financial Planner. I stand to be corrected here if someone knows differently.
I have no knowledge of any email he sent out about Lynn.
I think Smith’s insistence on the importance of the CPFIM designation is based on the knowlege of state and local gov’t finance. I don’t claim to know much other than that.
Lynn has been working at Haley’s appt for several years, first at Employment Security, and most recently at the Personnel Board.
Hope this helps.