Hot Hewes-Tate battle for No. 2 spot eyes key counties
PHILADELPHIA — As the political speeches shift into high gear here at the 2011 Neshoba County Fair, there is appropriate deference being paid the governor’s race and Haley Barbour’s final speech as governor in this venue.
But among the lobbyists, legislators, interest groups, state agencies and others who hang on every nuance of regime change in the Legislature; all eyes are on the increasingly combative Republican primary for lieutenant governor between state Sen. Billy Hewes of Gulfport and incumbent state Treasurer Tate Reeves of Rankin County.
The race has generated more heat than any internecine Republican battle since the tough fight between current Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and state Sen. Charlie Ross for the state’s number two leadership post in 2007.
Sid Salter
7/26/11
