John McCay, III, has announced his candidacy for the 4th Congressional District of Mississippi. McCay, a Republican, officially filed papers with the State Republican Party on Friday. He is a United Methodist Minister and a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard. The 32-year-old Republican is a life long resident of the district. In 1993, he graduated from Gulfport High School. McCay earned his Associate of Arts degree from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 1995 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997. He then, in 2000, graduated from the Memphis Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.
McCay currently serves the Trinity United Methodist Church in Picayune. Prior to this church, he served the Bond United Methodist Church in Bond, the Winborn Chapel and Shipman United Methodist Churches in Lucedale, and the Gateway United Methodist Church in Gulfport. In the Mississippi Air National Guard, where he holds the rank of Captain, he is a Chaplain with the 172nd Air Wing in Jackson and the Trent Lott National Guard Training Complex in Gulfport. In 2006, McCay was honored as the 2006 United States Air National Guard Chaplain of the Year.
McCay is running for this seat because he believes he can make a positive change. “My faith, family and country are of the utmost importance,” McCay said. Since he was eighteen, McCay has been a servant of people when he began in the ministry. McCay has proven himself as a mature and dedicated leader.
One issue McCay wishes to tackle is health care. “Citizens need access to health care and health care costs need to be controlled,” McCay said. “The people should be able to take the responsibility of their own health care needs.” McCay believes we can maintain the quality of our healthcare while reforming the system.
McCay vows to continue the ongoing efforts of the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. “I will strive to ensure funding is in place to help rebuild our area and infrastructure,” McCay said. Also, tax credits should be extended to Katrina victims so that affordable housing can be obtained.
John McCay, III, makes this promise: “I promise to work diligently to serve the people of the 4th Congressional District.”
An official announcement will come at a later date.
Magnolia Tribune
