Bully Bloc Formally Endorses Phil Bryant
Bully Bloc, a PAC formed by Mississippi State alums, endorsed Phil Bryant’s campaign today. In 2010, they donated $35,000 to his gubernatorial campaign.
The PAC said this in support of Bryant: “The Bully Bloc enthusiastically endorses Phil Bryant for Governor. Phil Bryant has a strong record as a leader for the interests of Mississippi State University and for all of higher education in Mississippi.”
As Cottonmouth has noted, the organization has also given $25,000 to Tate Reeves and endorsed his campaign for lieutenant governor.
Bully Bloc will be hosting a summer event in support of Bryant, Reeves and other candidates they are supporting. Here are the details on that:
“Please make plans to join us Wednesday, July 20th at 6:00 p.m. at the Jackson Country Club. We will honor special guests Phil Bryant and Tate Reeves along with our other endorsed candidates.
Please RSVP by contacting Kaitlyn Colson at 601-260-0533 or by email at info@bullybloc.ms.
Admission is free, and we encourage you to invite any prospective member and friend of the Bully Bloc.”
And here is a list of the Bully Bloc Executive Committee: Spence Flatgard, Chairman; Kaitlyn Colson, Executive Director; Bob Montgomery, Vice Chair/Government Affairs; Oscar Hartman, Vice Chair/Finance; Wilson LaFoe, Ex Officio Advisor; Reed Nelson, Recruiting; Brent Tyler, Special Events; Dr. Roy Ruby, Student Affairs; Stephen Clay, Jackson; Charlie Donald, Port Gibson; Rick Faucette, Tupelo; Haley Fisackerly, Jackson; Bruce Martin, Meridian; Glenn McCullough, Tupelo; Pat Nelson, Southaven; Hal Parker, Bolton; Bill Reeves, Jackson; Todd Reeves, Flowood; Denton Rogers, Indianola; Dr. Martha Swain, Starkville; Tom Walker, Starkville; and Dr. Donald Zacharias, Starkville.
It sounds to me like these alumni from Mississippi State are trying to buy support for State alumni on the college board as the next Governor will appoint a majority of the board. They need a favorable Governor and Lt. Governor to stack the board in their favor. I say our colleges and universities deserve unbiased leaders who will appoint those who are best for the job regardless of what institution they hail from.
Remember, we have the best politicians money CAN buy
I wonder what, specifically, Mississippi State expects to receive in return for its support for Phil Bryant? I am a supporter of Phil, both financial and otherwise, and am an Ole Miss Graduate. Should I be concerned?
Folks the handwriting is on the wall. Barring a major-league HUGE Phil Bryant gaffe then he will be our next governor. Phil is now riding a wave of popular support, endorsement-after-endorsement-after endorsement, and name recognition double that of his contender. People and organizations generally want to support a winner and they are seeing Phil riding victory wave, thus all the endorsements he is getting. So, like Phil or not, we can expect to see more and more endorsements for Phil. I have known Dave for many years and feel that he would make a great governor. But it just ain’t gonna happen this election unless Phil really steps in it. I just don’t see Dave gaining any traction at all. In fact he appears to be slipping with just thirty-something days to the primary. And I’ve heard talk already about Dave running against Wicker for his senatorial seat. I have done business with Dave over the years and know him to be a solid man and would be a great governor. But it doesn’t appear to be his time. But hey, “it ain’t over till it’s over”. Maybe just maybe ole Dave can pull a rabbit out of a hat…
Mikoma,
No you shouldn’t be concerned at all. Phil has support from all the major universities. His fundraisers in Oxford were equally successful.
coast,
Don’t fret, Daves losing tracktion, but Gen. Holliday is pressing foward and gaining momentum. There will be a run off. It is now a fight for second place. We all will be suprised at the voter turn out in the republican primary.
This is paving the way for Mark Keenum to be appointed as the next U.S Senator from MS… Think about it…
If history repeats itself there may be some disappointed they blindly put their money and organization on the line for a lite guv running for the ‘big seat’. Since 1900 only two lieutenant governors of seven attempts have succeeded. Paul Johnson of ‘stand tall with Paul’ created by the entry of James Meredith to Ole Miss and Musgrove who squeaked by with less than 50% of the vote, being elected by one vote in the Democratic House of Representatives.
Look who lost. William Winter lead in the 1st primary then lost to Finch; Evelyn Gandy lead in the first primary then lost the runoff; Caroll Gartin lost; Then there was Dennis Murphree a lieutenant governor twice appointed governor on the death of the office holder who then ran for the office and lost each time. Murphree ran again and was elected lieutenant governor four years after losing his first bid for governor only to elevated again when the governor died and to lose…the second time.
Phil Bryant was a personable, likeable, fellow before being elected to the House of Representatives and yet as he’s served through the years he’s become self-centered and today seems to only focus on persons he thinks can further his career. He would have you believe he and Haley was connected at the hips, yet Haley’s brother Jeppie is a chief consultant for one of Bryant’s opponents.
Check the history again. Jeppie isn’t going against brother Haley, never has. So what’s this mean. My guess is Haley isn’t in favor of Bryant succeeding him.
My man in the race is the one with proven leadership, in business, the political arena and the military, retired General Hudson Holliday.
And don’t forget about Charles Sullivan in the 1970 gov’s race. He was Lt Gov when he ran against Bill Waller. He won the primary by a significant margin then lost the general election.
How about the last time a govenor was elected from the coast? never. How about the last time a govenor was elected from Pearl River Co.?
Gov. Bilbo.
How about the last time a govenor was elected from the Delta? Last 3 out of 3 govenors. if you consider Panola in the Delta.
History tells us North Ms. does not typically vote for candidates from south mississippi. Its unfortunate.
Forgot about and overlooked Sullivan. That makes it only two of eight attempts for a Lt. Governor being elevated by the voters.
Are you suggesting Luckett will be the eventual winner?
Good point about a coast candidate being elected gov. Let’s go a step further, when was the cast time a coast candidate was elected to ANY statewide office? To my recollection it is never. I’m leaning toward Dave but I’m also a realist. I think he’s a great man who would be a fantastic governor. But the way I see it he has two almost insurmountable obstacles to overcome.
1. Phil Bryant who is most definitely picking up steam and heading toward the finish line and would have to really screw things up to lose it.
2. Being from the coast. History tells the tale here. North Mississippi just isn’t ready to support a coastal candidate. This also bodes badly for my other candidates that I’m supporting (Billy and Steve).
As far as Holiday goes he just doesn’t have the machine, organization or money to win a statewide election. He may very well be a good man with the makings of a great gov. But like it or not, you gotta have a big war chest to even compete in the gov’s race. $500k don’t even make you a minor contender. You gotta win name recognition statewide and to do that you must have a true statewide organizational structure, and a political machine with a lot if politically savvy folks. And to accomplish these two objectives it takes money. A lot of money. The candidates that can raise a cool $1.5M plus are riding on the locomotive while those in the sub $1M category are riding the caboose. And those in the $500k range aint even on the train. They’re walking. I’m not saying this is a good thing. I’m just saying it’s reality. Holiday may very well be the best man running but with a $500k war chest this late in the game he cannot obtain the statewide recognition required to win a statewide race.
I’ve been wrong plenty of times before and may be proven wrong here. But what I’m stating is backed up by many, many past elections. The history is there folks. But that still doesnt change my support for Dave!
Mike Moore.
And Trent Lott- of course that was Senate which is statewide, but not your traditional odd year statewide election.
Yea I had thought about Lott but his was an unusual election and the fact that he had already gained statewide popularity in the House. Where is Moore from?
Is Mike a Pascagoula boy? I do seem to recall that now…
I don’t know exactly where he is from.
Charlie,
I sure hope Luckett does NOT win, but history places him in the driver seat. The demos are desperate for a State wide office and the black politicians are not lining up to support Johnny Dupree. Luckett is bairly spending any money for the primary. Which secures millions to be spent in the general election.
Meanwhile, Phil Bryant has been forced to spend mucho mula and there’s a month left to primary date.(he only has 2 million) If Phil wins in a costly run off, he’ll be at a disadvantage. Phil will be trying to raise money and fighting off attacks from Luckett. Luckett has been planning to run against Phil. I imagine it will be an up hill battle. When Phil hits him on his living in Memphis. Luckett will counter with Phil was not born in Mississippi.
If Dave Dennis wins a costly run off he will be at the same disadvantage. Plus he is from the coast. Luckett will use his money to hammer him on his involvement with the Federal Reserve Board (and lived in New Orleans). Which will remind the North Mississippi Conservative Independents why they don’t vote for candidates from the coast. It is hard to win like that.
The dark horse Hudson Holiday would have history on his side. The only other Pearl River guv. candidate won. So Pearl River co. is batting 100% with guv. candidates. Plus Luckett would not expect a Holiday victory, catching him off guard. When Luckett starts digging for dirt, there want be anything to stick. Plus Holiday is a retired General (military counts) and that gives him an advantage. He is also a life long Mississippian, so Lucketts residence will hurt him. Lastly, Holiday is a diversed businessman. He has experience in small business, timber industry, cattle industry, and a farmer. That resinates with a majority of Mississippians including the North Mississippians. His problem is money. He dose not have enough, but that never stopped him before. The fact is Holiday want have the money to compete with 5million+.
I sure hope Dupree wins that primary!