PERRY/26 vying for Congress
By BRIAN PERRY
Twenty-six candidates representing the Democratic, Republican, Reform, Libertarian and Constitution Parties – as well as a handful of independents – met the March 1 qualifying deadline to run for the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi. No incumbent has a party primary challenger, but Republican and Democratic challengers must first clear the June 1 Primary hurdle before facing the incumbents on November 2.
If the number of candidates in a race indicates public dissatisfaction with the incumbent, then First Congressional District Representative Travis Childers (D-Booneville) has a long row to hoe. Ten candidates filed to run against Childers including Libertarian Harold Taylor of Hernando, Barbara Dale Washer of Hattiesburg from the Reform Party, Gail Giaramita of Lake Cormorant from the Constitution Party, and four independents: A.G. Baddley and Les Green both of Hernando, and Rick “Rico” Hoskins and Wally Pang both of Batesville. Pang ran for this seat in 2008 earning 1.1 percent in both the April Special and November General elections.
Whoever the Republicans pick as their nominee will offer substantial competition to Childers. National pundits rate this race a “toss-up” and one of the GOP’s best opportunities to unseat a Democratic incumbent. Senate Appropriations Chairman Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo, Fox News personality Angela McGlowan of Oxford, and former mayor Henry Ross of Eupora filed as Republicans.
Madison County Journal
3/3/10
Magnolia Tribune
