Tegerdine trying to build a grassroots organization to beat Taylor

Local News

Related Photos

David A. Farrell

February 4, 2010

By DAVID A. FARRELL Picayune Item Thu Feb 04, 2010, 07:57 AM CST

PICAYUNE — Mississippi Fourth Congressional District Republican candidate Joe Tegerdine said on Tuesday night while campaigning in Picayune that he is trying to build in each county a grass-roots political organization throughout the Fourth District.

He said that if he can do that, he can beat Democrat incumbent U.S. Congressman Gene Taylor of Bay St. Louis in the 4th Congressional District election.

Tiffany A. Parrish, Tegerdine’s finance director who accompanied Tegerdine, said that the National Republican Party has placed Taylor on a list of Democrats whom they believe are “vulnerable” in this year’s congressional elections.

Tegerdine, a Petal businessman who spoke to supporters at the home of his Pearl River County campaign manager Angela Hill admitted he, so far, does not have the funds to mount an effective media campaign against Taylor.

He said that the campaign funds he needs will come. It was the third time Tegerdine has visited Pearl River County.

He also added that although he will meet his campaign’s financial goals, money is not the only necessity in the current race. He said he has about $20,000 in his campaign coffers right now but needs much more.

He pointed to Utah Republican 3rd District Congressman Jason Chaffetz’ campaign where Chaffetz formed a grass-roots organization of volunteers who propelled his campaign to victory. He said Chaffetz is a rock-solid conservative, who took no ear marks during the last round of congressional pork handouts.

Asked if he would accept earmarks, Tegerdine said, “No.”

He said he liked Chaffetz’ method of operation and said he would like to model his campaign after the Utah congressman’s.

Chaffetz, who was elected to congress on Nov. 4, 2008, sleeps on a cot in his office to save $1,500 a month.

It remains to be seen, though, whether Tegerdine can pull it off. Taylor has not had any credible competition in 20 years.

Tegerdine said large numbers have been turning out for his visits to communities, towns and cities throughout the district, and that he has about 200 volunteers who are donating time and effort to his campaign. He said he is attempting to sign up more.

“The response has been tremendous,” he said.

Tegerdine pointed to a $100,000 food bill recently turned in by Pelosi on her Copenhagen trip. He said the Washington, D.C., politicians are out of touch with the “real America.”

“I will work to end this,” he said. “My allegiance will be to those who elect me and not to the lobbyists and special interests.” He said he was a conservative and it was time for “new leadership, limited government, fiscal discipline and strong national defense.”

Tegerdine and Taylor are the only two candidates in the November election so far. The deadline for filing for candidates is March 1.

Text Only

Local News

SIDEWALK WORK CONTINUES SIDEWALK WORK CONTINUES — Jeffrey Hartfield, left, and Eddie Fry finish up sidewalk work in front of Snyder Park on Beech Street on Thursday. They work for RJM, which subcontracted the work from HSI. Almost the full length of Beech is getting a workover in a $400,000 project.
February 10, 2012 1 Photo
CROSSES ERECTED St. Charles Catholic Church on Goodyear Boulevard has erected crosses it says represents the number of abortion daily in the U.S.
February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Shooting suspects bound to grand jury Two of the three suspects involved in December’s deadly shoot-out have been bound over to the grand jury. Those defendants are 27-year-old Quincy Jones and 31-year-old Decori King.
February 10, 2012
Saturday noon is last chance to register to vote in March 13 primaries The heated race to see who will get the Republican nomination for President continues and is coming to Pearl River County, as voters trek to the polls to vote in the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries on March 13, and in the primaries for the U.S. Senate and congressional races.
February 10, 2012
Friends of Boley discuss next cleanup Members of the Friends of Boley met Thursday morning to plan for their next big cleanup. With the next cleanup scheduled for April 21, Christy Goss, a city employee, suggested combining that effort with the Great American Cleanup the city participates in each year.
February 10, 2012
SAFETY DAY Picayune Police officers made a visit to the First Baptist Church of Picayune’s preschool class for their Community Helpers Safety Day. During the event the kids got to meet police officers and trigger lights and sirens in patrol vehicles.
February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Escapee caught in county Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies have captured the inmate who escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday after attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
February 9, 2012
Council discusses which funds to spend first On the same day as the ground breaking for the addition to the historic City Hall, city council members discussed which funds to spend first in its construction.
February 9, 2012
Poplarville aldermen honor Holliday, get audit report briefing The city board of aldermen honored former District Three Supervisor Hudson Holliday at its Tuesday night meeting. Mayor Billy Spiers presented Holliday with a framed resolution of appreciation for his dedication and service to the city while serving as county supervisor.
February 9, 2012 1 Photo
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Tegerdine trying to build a grassroots organization to beat Taylor

Site Map

Contact Us