Jackson — Rain, lightning and rumbling thunder dampened the early voting Tuesday in Mississippi’s congressional primary runoffs — races that were already expected to see a light turnout.
“We’re getting rain over here and that hurts,” said Donna Jill Johnson of the Lauderdale County Circuit Clerk’s office. “We had just hoped for a good turnout — Lauderdale County is usually way above the state average on all elections — but with a second primary and rain, you are up against motivation already.”
A spot check of other counties in the 1st District and the 3rd District indicated early light voter interest, especially in areas with thunderstorms.
“But when it’s over, a win’s a win,” said political scientist Marty Wiseman, director of Mississippi State University’s John C. Stennis Institute of Government. “There have been some folks who’ve had long careers in politics after winning with low turnout.”
Polls opened at 7 a.m. and were to close at 7 p.m. in the two districts. There were no runoffs in the state’s two other congressional districts.
The 1st District, in north Mississippi, has a runoff for each of the two major political parties. The Republican contest is between Southaven Mayor Greg Davis and former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough Jr. The Democratic contest is between Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers of Booneville and state Rep. Steve Holland of Plantersville.
The 3rd District, in central Mississippi, has a Republican runoff between two attorneys from Rankin County — Gregg Harper of Pearl and former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon.
The first primaries were three weeks ago. The March 11 ballots included Democratic and Republican presidential races, which traditionally generate a great deal of voter interest. There are no runoffs for the presidential primaries.
Winners advance to the Nov. 4 general election.
People who voted in Democratic primaries March 11 were not being allowed to vote in the Republican runoffs, and people who voted in the Republican primaries are not allowed to cross over to the Democratic runoff.
The 3rd District stretches from Natchez in the southwestern corner of the state to the Jackson suburbs in central Mississippi and to Starkville in the Golden Triangle. Because the 3rd District is drawn to favor Republicans, it’s likely that the winner of the Harper-Ross race will go on to defeat the Democratic nominee, Joel L. Gill of Pickens, in the general election.
Rankin County is one of the most heavily Republican parts of the state, and because Ross and Harper both live there, it will be vital in deciding the winner. Wiseman said Monday the candidate who runs stronger in another population base, Meridian, “gets the edge.”
The 1st District includes DeSoto County and the northern cities of Oxford, Tupelo, Columbus and Booneville.
“It isn’t very often a congressional seat opens in Mississippi” Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said. “This year, we have two, so it’s important all Mississippians cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.”
Rep. Chip Pickering, a Republican who first won the 3rd District seat in 1996, chose not to seek re-election this year and said he plans to sit out of politics for a while, though probably not forever. His term expires in January.
Republican Roger Wicker was elected to the 1st District seat in 1994. He moved to the Senate in December 2007 after Gov. Haley Barbour chose him to fill a seat left vacant by the early retirement of Trent Lott.
The regular election primaries for the 1st District are overlapping with a special election there. On April 22, there is a nonpartisan special election to fill the final few months of the two-year term Wicker started in early 2007. A runoff, if necessary, will be May 13.
On the Net:
Gregg Harper: http://www.greggharperforcongress.com
Charlie Ross: http://www.charlieross.com
Travis Childers: http://www.childersforcongress.com
Steve Holland: http://www.stevehollandforcongress.com
Greg Davis: http://www.gregdavisforcongress.com
Glenn McCullough Jr.: http://www.glenn08.com
Local News
Rain dampens early turnout in Mississippi primary runoffs
- Local News
-
- 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.
-
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.
-
MRI INSTALLED
This $1.2 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment was installed at the new location of Highland Community Hospital.
-
Hall suspected of robbery after escaping
A man who escaped from jail after attending his father’s wake is suspected of having carried out an armed robbery on the Texas-Arkansas state line. Johnny Hall escaped from Mississippi Department of Corrections custody on Friday while attending his father’s wake in Picayune.
-
City Hall expansion groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday at the construction site for the expansion of the historic Picayune City Hall. “You can see our future when you look down Goodyear Boulevard. You see Chimney Square, our high school, The Link at First Baptist Church, Jack Read Park and then our historic City Hall.
-
PRC athletic director says he’ll recommend random drug testing
Pearl River Central athletic director Andy Kivlan told the school board at its Monday night meeting that he will most likely recommend that students participating in extracurricular activities, including band and ROTC, be subject to random drug screening.
-
Supervisors adopt resolution encouraging more economic development in South Miss.
Following a short presentation by State Sen. Tony Smith (R-Picayune), the board of supervisors adopted on Monday a resolution encouraging state officials and agencies to exercise “fairness and parity” regarding location of new industries in Mississippi.
-
MDEQ wants comprehensive waste disposal plan from county
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has told Pearl River County it wants a comprehensive waste disposal plan for the county. Supervisors indicated at their Monday meeting that they are not happy with the request.
-
Police: Powell planned deadly fire for some time
Josh Powell planned the deadly house fire that killed him and his young sons for some time, dropping toys at charities and sending final emails to multiple acquaintances before the blaze, authorities said Monday.
-
Bar fight ends in man being run over
A bar fight Friday morning resulted in one man being run over by the other with a pickup truck.
The fight was reported to Picayune Police officers Friday morning at about 1:44 at the American Legion Hall on Union School Road, said Capt. Chad Dorn. - More Local News Headlines
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
