As Davis prepares to renew battle with Childers — Davis says he’ll officially kick off his fall campaign Labor Day weekend — he has also revamped his campaign staff. Former campaign manager Ted Prill was replaced by David Sancillo, a Davis volunteer and retired architect from Tupelo.
“I’ve apologized for the mud-slinging,” Davis says of the spring campaigns. “Last time, we lost sight of what we needed to do. Now we’re getting back to basics.”
Even though the campaign hasn’t officially started, Davis has already been criss-crossing the 24-county district. In each area, he has volunteer campaign managers to address issues affecting that area.
In his home county of DeSoto, Davis had large turnouts on election day. In other parts of the sprawling district, however, he struggled. In May’s special election against Childers, who is from Prentiss County, Childers carried 20 of the 24 counties.
“This time, this race is about issues and records for us,” Davis said from his City Hall office last week. “It will be a grass-roots effort, and this race will be different.”
He said he knows he’s up against an incumbent, but recent polls show he is gaining momentum.
“We’re neck and neck, according to a poll that Gov. Barbour gave me,” Davis said.
Commercial Appeal
8/17/8
Magnolia Tribune
