Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Stacey staying put.

Much speculation has centered around the Lieutenant Governor's race as rumors swirled that three current office-holders were interested in the position: Treasurer Tate Reeves, State Senator Billy Hewes, and State Auditor Stacey Pickering. JJ can report Mr. Pickering will avoid the Lieutenant Governor's race and run for re-election.

The prospect of a three-way race was an interesting one. Mr. Reeves lacks charisma but managed to raise the most financial support at this early stage of the game. A quick review of his fund-raising invitations reveals a heavy dose of Republican heavy-hitters. Mr. Hewes lacks the resources Mr. Reeves currently possesses but probably is the most qualified for the job and is a decent candidate. Mr. Pickering possesses looks and the family connections but sources informed JJ he was way behind in the money race.

Mr. Pickering called Mr. Hewes, Mr. Reeves, and other auditor hopefuls to inform them of his decision this morning. One can only imagine such a decision was difficult for Mr. Pickering as he matches the other candidates in terms of experience and ability. However, it is hard to beat the other two without a natural base such as the Coast or the amount of money needed to overcome Mr. Reeve's huge financial advantage.

JJ can also report the much-heralded audit of Madison County is completed and undergoing final review by Mr. Pickering's office, according to numerous sources. The law (Section 7-7-69 of the Mississippi Code) mandates his office shall give the Board of Supervisors thirty days to address the findings. Be that as it may, the race for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor is now down to two horses. Stay tuned.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I'm more interested in that report. Stacey knew he didn't have a chance in that race.

Kingfish said...

Actually he did. Just needed to raise money. Yeah, I know. "just". Its then a matter of working ten counties. I don't think Mr. Pickering by nature is an aggressive person while Reeves is.

Reeves has been very aggressive. I know the other candidates were all waiting until November to really get started but sometimes the enemy doesn't cooperate. Considering who is running his campaign, its no surprise to me.

Anonymous said...

Could Hosemann make it a three-way race again?

bill said...

I think Stacey is doing the smart thing. He's clearly third out of three candidates at this point because of not aggressively campaigning and fundraising, and at best would have to bust his behind to get into a runoff that would be difficult to win. If he wins, he ends up with a very difficult job in tough economic times for the state. Four years from now - or eight years from now if necessary - he has a chance to run for Governor against opponents who have been getting bad press for budget cuts while he's been able to wear the white hat of the Auditor and chase down the bad guys. There's also a Senator's seat that will eventually open up unless Thad Cochran is trying for Strom's record...Bill Billingsley

bill said...

9:38, I hear the decision in the Hosemann camp is to stay as Secretary of State or run for Governor, not Lieutenant Governor. I hope he stays put as well, because they're all good candidates but there can only be one winner. BB

bill said...

8:35, I'm also very interested in the Madison County report. I hope it confirms what many suspect - that three of the county supervisors agreed to pay way too much money for Rudy to make some phone calls. It might not have been against the law, but it will be nice for someone in an official position to point out how dumb these guys can be.

Anonymous said...

Why would Hosemann leave a safe re-election to run for Lite Governor? If he doesn't stay put, he will run for Governor. He is ever bit as qualified and capable as the other candidates in the Gov race, and certainly as smart. And like Phil, he has won statewide office before. So, all those that think he will opt out of the Gov race for Lite Gov, put that thinking aside.

Myself, I think Delbert is in the Gov race. Why not?

Kingfish said...

Delbert can beat Phil.

Anonymous said...

Delbert will kick Phil's ass. Phil and his chainsaw headed to Yazoo City, Phil headed to the coast to clean up the iol spill, (after he said it was no big deal). Phil in front of any camera he can find. Phil and his hair. Phil, Phil, Phil

Anonymous said...

Who is running Reeves' campaign?

Anonymous said...

With that big mouthed woman that Pickering has running (screwing up) things in the Audit Department, he had no other choice. Word has it that she is involved in other campaigns (1st & 4th district)

desoto_dan said...

I disagree that Hewes is more qualified. Reeves has the smarts, competence and conservative credentials to take any office in this state. Not to mention the support base to do anything he wants.

Kingfish said...

Who has more legislative experience? Who has more business experience?

and warning, astroturfers will be given a very rough time on this site.

Anonymous said...

Delbert gets may vote. Phil will not regardless. Ronald Reagan was the last actor I will vote for in an election.

Anonymous said...

KF - why so hostile towards Tate Reeves? He's actually a good, smart guy.

Kingfish said...

Hostile? I like both candidates. Just because I don't automatically sing the praises of your does not mean I am hostile towards him. Try again.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think Tate has more ambition than experience. I would rather see him grow into a statewide leader than get voted into office simply because he can raise some money. Ambition does not qualified make.

bill said...

3:15, are you saying that you'll vote for the Democrat if Bryant is the Republican nominee or are you just going to stay home and not vote at all? Thinking like that will keep the GOP from making the gains in Congress and state offices that we should be making in the next two years. Work hard to get your candidate through the primary, but if your candidate falls short then you have to get behind the nominee, just like I did last time. Just ask Phil Bryant...Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else think that Stacey looks like Rod Blagojevich??

Anonymous said...

Nope.

JDBerry said...

Who has more legislative experience? Who has more business experience?

and warning, astroturfers will be given a very rough time on this site.


Neither of those two items, in isolation, mean anything towards the qualification of someone running for office. There's excuses not to vote for everyone, legislative experience should be one of the last ones used.

Career legislative experience is part of the problem with things as they are.

JDBerry said...

Delbert needs to run for AG. It's one office that sorely needs some good GOP blood. A strong candidate is needed to fight the friends and family program.

Anonymous said...

KF may be hostile towards Reeves...i may not like reeves.

But you have to give the guy credit. He can raise money unlike anyone since, well, Haley Barbour.

And he will win by a large margin because of it.

Anonymous said...

An interesting tidbit: Mr. Reeves could end up Lieutenant Governor and Bobby Moak could end up speaker of the House.
Moak is from Bogue Chitto as are Reeves' parents.

Kingfish said...

Who said I dislike him? Candor is not always to be confused with hostility.

Anonymous said...

Tate is the most happy one over Stacy's staying put, the 3 way race with 41 total % of the vote(Hattiesburg South) in the state could go to Billy.
tate is his worst enemy, at events he speaks to some and some he glares at, even Haley was better with the little people with checks.

Anonymous said...

Tate only speaks to you if you've written him a check. He really does just have more ambition, not experience. Ask him how the Healthcare Trust funds and MPACT college money investments have done..............

Anonymous said...

Speaking as one of the little people without a check, I know a different side of this young man.
Some friends and I have volunteered each time Tate has run for office. We have gone door to door for him. In our dealings with him, we have found him to be nothing but gracious, appreciative
and a gentleman.

Anonymous said...

If Tate speaks to the people who write him checks--guess he must stay pretty busy.

Anonymous said...

I agree with JDBerry, I want Delbert to run for AG and whip Conway Hood's ass. It is wayyyyyy past time for him to be put out to pasture and somebody to get in there and do an indepth review of Conway's actions in his office.

DELBERT FOR AG ALL THE WAY

bill said...

I will simply repeat the mantra I've been stuck on from the beginning of this campaign season: Vote for the Republican nominee in the general election. I don't care which race or who the Democrat is, unless we're talking about city and county races. For statewide and national offices we need to get the Democrats out, and if that means that you have to pull the handle for the candidate you grew to hate in the primary then so be it. McCullough's supporters handed Travis Childers the First Congressional District two years ago by being so mad at Davis from the primary. David Landrum's supporters turned what should have been a close race between Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper into a runaway victory for Harper - in the primary. Republicans who lose in a primary need to stay out of the runoff and get behind the nominee in the general election or we might find ourselves on the losing end of an important race. Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

It goes without saying that all good conservatives and Republicans should vote for theGOP nominee in the general election. And almost all do.
Bill, I have a question: clearly, you are or have been very involved in a number of big races. And reading your earlier post, you have some strong negative opinions on some of your local elected officials. Do you get equally as strongly involved in your local races, or are you one that just wants to be at the table in the big races?

JDBerry said...

Back in the spring there was a survey of Republicans voters on Hewes/Reeves for Lt. Gov.

There was a very wide gap between the favorable view, statewide. The name recognition thing was likely a big part of that. Reeves had higher favorable view statewide than Hewes did on the coast.

Just a month away from pivotal national elections where all GOP candidates should be trying to gain recognition and ride the wave, it doesn't appear Hewes has made any headway towards that national name recognition issue.



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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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