POPLARVILLE — Supervisor Hudson Holliday last week kicked off his run for governor of Mississippi at a large rally at the farm of Darrin and Kristi Harris about four miles north of here, on what is the Corn Maze recreation site. An estimated 300 people attended the festivities.
Holliday told the crowd that his greatest task will be getting his name and message before the voters, saying, “And that’s where you can help.”
“I have found out that people are excited to have someone from this area running for the office. People are excited, and I am humbled by the support and encouragement I have already received,” he said.
Holliday is expected to appear and speak at the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year luncheon at the Pearl River Community College today.
At Monday’s board of supervisors meeting, Ed Pinero Jr., county economic and planning director, and also mayor of Picayune, commented to the board about the informal kick-off rally: “I just wanted to let everyone here know that Holliday’s kick-off for governor was extremely well attended. Lot of folks attended and there was a lot of energy coming out of it. Things are moving for your colleague and fellow supervisor. Things went real well.”
That prompted a short discussion of Holliday’s candidacy by the board.
Said board president and supervisor Anthony Hales: “I am going to write something about it, and put it where it needs to be put. You can tell a lot about a man when you go up against him. Sometimes we have been on different sides of the issue.”
Hales added, “But up here working with someone, you really find out what a guy is like. And do I think Mr. Holliday can benefit this state. Surely. And I sure would like to have a governor where I could walk into his office anytime I wanted to.”
That prompted a laugh from the audience.
“But seriously, though, I am going to do everything I can to support him,” Hales said.
Joked supervisor Sandy Kane Smith, “He hasn’t announced me as his chief of staff. He will announce me later in the campaign, however.” That set off another round of laughter.
However, when Holliday spoke the room was quiet.
“I know there is a famous saying that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown, but I want to say that since I have announced for governor, people have been so great. They have encouraged me and gotten on board, people who know me and people who don’t know me that well,” Holliday said.
“It’s been a humbling experience and it really does make you feel good, to live in a small community and people come to you like they have. I am just humbled by the whole experience.”
Since announcing his run for governor as a Republican, Holliday’s story, which appeared first in the Item, and was picked up by The Associated Press wire, has appeared statewide in the media.
The “Mississippi Business Journal” did a story on Holliday, and Sid Salter, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger’s blogger and columnist in an e-mail to this writer said Holliday’s key will be how much money he can raise.
Holliday himself in announcing said that he was aware of the daunting task in front of him in making a successful run and said his success will come with being a credible candidate.
Holliday told the Business Journal’s Clay Chandler, “There’s not a whole lot that goes on in Mississippi that I don’t understand. I will be honest with you, I’m tired. I am tired of us leaving our future up to professional politicians that too often, not all of them, are more concerned about their future than they are ours.”
It is still a long time until the governor’s election in November 2011, but some candidates have already said they will run. Besides Holliday, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to run, as is State Treasurer Tate Reeves. Also Coast businessman Dave Dennis has said he will run.
Clarksdale businessman Bill Luckett, a friend of actor Morgan Freeman, has said he will run as a Democrat and is trying to raise money from Freeman’s Hollywood friends, one report said.
Holliday is the sitting supervisor for District 3.
Holliday said that anyone wanting to donate to his campaign can do so by writing a check to Hudson Holliday for Governor and mail it to 1729 S. Main St., Poplarville MS 39470.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo by David A. Farrell
Holliday for governor informal gathering kicks off campaign with art, picture
- Local News
-
-
POLICE MEMORIAL
City employees were out at the Picayune Police Department memorial Thursday morning doing some upgrades to it.
-
ACCIDENT
ACCIDENT — Emergency personnel responded to this accident Thursday morning on South Haugh Avenue.
-
Supervisors support sales tax proposal
The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors unanimously supports District 1 Supervisor Anthony Hales proposal for a 1-percent county sales tax.
Hales had outlined his proposal at two earlier meetings of the board of supervisors and the other four members voiced their support for the idea at Wednesday’s meeting. -
Lawrence sentenced to 57 months for child porn
Picayune native Clifford Lawrence has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for possession of child pornography.
-
WORK UNDERWAY
WORK UNDERWAY — Foundation work on Nicholson Elementary’s multi-purpose building is underway. The building is expected to be complete by spring of next year and will provide the surrounding community with a place to hold events.
-
Washing Water Tower
WASHING WATER TOWER — These workers were spray-cleaning the water tower at Pearl River Community College at Poplarville last week.
-
New, old law makers tout legislative successes
Four state law makers held a legislative review for members of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce at the newly opened Southern Char restaurant Tuesday night to share with business owners information about new bills and laws that have been passed.
-
School board approves step raises
Picayune teachers and other staff members should receive step pay increases next year, following some debate on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting of the Picayune Municipal Separate School District.
-
PRC GRADUATION
PRC GRADUATION — At left, Pearl River Central High School Valedictorian Layton Spiers addresses the PRC Senior Class of 2012. At right, PRC Salutatorian Hayden Skantz addresses the graduating class. PRC High School held its graduation exercises Monday night in the school’s football stadium.
-
PMHS GRADUATION SPEAKERS
PMHS GRADUATION SPEAKERS — From left valedictorian Jared Christopher Bates and salutatorian Bryce Austin Warden will lead Picayune Memorial High School’s graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m. Thursday at the football stadium.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
