Mississippi Republicans have always touted the need for party primaries. Competitive primaries hone candidates and engage voters. But once the primary votes are counted and the winner is declared, the party and fellow Republicans have rallied behind the voters’ choice, pushing forward toward many a general election victory in recent years.
One main reason for the success Republicans have had is the unwritten rule that you don’t endorse a candidate in a GOP primary; you get behind the voters’ choice and support the primary winner. This is especially true in county Republican executive committees and for current office holders. The general thinking is that a generic Republican far outweighs a Democrat in overall political philosophy if you are a conservative.
The practice of not endorsing a candidate before a primary has served the GOP well over the years and has helped to create the unity that’s made the Republican party the now dominate party in Mississippi politics. It has been a necessary ingredient in the Republican recipe for success. Not endorsing candidates before a primary makes it easier to unite voters behind the winner and carry the momentum into the general election.
Obviously, if there is a Republican candidate in a primary with a questionable record or that does not possess the conservative credentials espoused by the party, pointing such differences out should be done for the edification of the voters and the credibility of the party. But as far as party leadership and fellow elected officials endorsing candidates prior to the primary, members of the Republican party around Mississippi have traditionally shied away from such involvement. Some may call this ‘old school’ Republican politics.
This election year, however, a number of fellow Republicans are lending their names to campaigns around the state, breaking the traditional mold. Some of the most notable Republican names making endorsements to date include:
* Former Senator Trent
* Former Mississippi GOP chairman Brad White
* Congressman Gregg Harper
* House Republican leader Rep. Mark Baker
* Congressman Alan Nunnelee
* Former Mississippi GOP chairman Jim Herring
* Various state Senators
Is this simply a sign of the times, or could this be a slippery slope for state Republicans?
This is the first election cycle where Mississippi is now officially a two party state; more Republicans are running for offices statewide at every level of government. Republicans are adding numbers and bringing in new blood, leaving more than a few longtime Republicans to question the true conservative philosophy of some, mainly the recent party switchers. Party purity may not be the principal goal at this point (which is a discussion for another day), but party unity is still the key ingredient for general election success.
It is easy to understand why candidates seek out these endorsements; being tied to a Haley Barbour or some other recognizable political figure is never a bad thing when you’re vying for the conservative vote in Mississippi. But fracturing the party by lining up big name endorsements for a race here and a race there harms every Republican, up and down the ticket.
When big names endorse primary candidates, it’s more difficult for the primary winner to rally supporters in the other GOP camp, opening the door for Democrats to divide and conquer. And when we as conservatives give liberals an inch, they will take a mile.
Successful political endeavors must be bigger than any one person or race; they must be based on political ideology and core principles. Big name endorsements ultimately only get in the way in competitive primaries.
It may sound ‘old school,’ but Republicans in Mississippi would do well to remember that unity of purpose should always trump personal motivations. It’s never been about one politician or one seat; it’s about the conservative cause as a whole.
Magnolia Tribune
