A Fourth of July tradition for Mississippi political candidates, the Jacinto Political Rally was hosted on historical courthouse steps in Alcorn County. Second only to the Neshoba County Fair in terms of political stump exposure, candidates from many different 2019 races, and maybe even a 2020 race, were in attendance.
Candidates in attendance included: Jim Hood, Bill Waller, Tate Reeves, Robert Foster, David Singletary, Robert Shuler-Smith, Velesha Williams, and Michael Brown for Governor; Brandon Presley, who is running unopposed for his current seat as Northern District Public Service Commissioner; Lynn Fitch, Mark Baker, Jennifer Riley Collins and Andy Taggart for Attorney General; Johnny Dupree for Secretary of State; David McRae and Buck Clarke for Treasurer; Rickey Cole, candidate for Ag Commissioner and current Commissioner Andy Gipson; Jay Hughes and Shane Quick for Lt. Governor; and a host of candidates for legislative and regional political offices.
Candidates spoke on the issues their campaign platforms revolve around. Those included infrastructure, abortion laws, the flag, teacher pay, and creating more jobs and economic development in Mississippi.
One unexpected wrinkle was a speech by Gerard Gibert, who currently serves on the recently created State Lottery Board. Gibert is not yet a candidate for 2020 elective office but was announced at Jacinto as a “potential candidate” for the U.S. Senate in 2020.
“I’m not yet a candidate for office but I could be,” declared Gibert.
Sarah Ulmer
