Laurel Leader-Call – Hewes, Reeves race shows maturity of state’s GOP
The state’s press had a chance to see the two top contenders for lieutenant governor face off in a contentious exchange before the Mississippi Press Association’s annual convention in Biloxi on June 25. The MPA candidate forum – ably moderated by Greenwood Commonwealth publisher Tim Kalich – gave state Sen. President Pro Tempore Billy Hewes of Gulfport and state Treasurer Tate Reeves and opportunity to speak to their own strengths and to their opponent’s weaknesses and neither candidate disappointed.
Hewes got after Reeves. Reeves got after Hewes. It wasn’t a pleasant, blow-dried exchange. Hewes touted his wealth of legislative experience and maturity. Reeves ran unapologetically as a legislative outsider and touted his skills and status as a “fiscal conservative.”
Reeves recounted a particularly contentious exchange he’d had with outgoing House Speaker Billy McCoy in a legislative hearing and his legal challenges (along with Gov. Haley Barbour) of former attorney general Mike Moore and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi as evidence that a legislative outsider was best equipped to lead the Senate. Hewes recounted his years serving in the Senate in the minority and the majority and said that a lieutenant governor would be “ineffective” without a relationship with legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Hewes accused Reeves of not telling “the whole story” about his record as treasurer. Reeves accused Hewes of being “too busy attacking me and my record” while neglecting to lay out his own vision. Punch. Counterpunch. Lunge. Parry.
Sid Salter
6/29/11
Magnolia Tribune
