bigrus

Who’s on the ballot? Compare candidates with issues

Harry November 6, 2024

Issues related to the economy, health care and border security are at the top of the list when it comes to issues that Mississippi voters are concerned about as they vote Tuesday.

Election experts also said the issues state voters are most concerned about are the average cost of living, job creation and other forms of economic development.

“The biggest problem tends to be economically based,” Stennis Institute Executive Director Dallas Breen said earlier this year. “There’s inflation, the cost of gas, the cost of living. We have one of the lowest rates of per capita income and household income in the country. So, when it gets more expensive to live, the average reaches Mississippi and it gets harder in other states.”

Breen said national and state-level issues like border security, health rights and Medicaid expansion are also on voters’ minds when choosing who to vote for in this primary.

Not all of the Mississippi candidates running for U.S. House and Senate seats have voiced public opinions on the issues being decided, but here are some of the issues they raised as the Magnolia State heads to the polls:

Mississippi 1st Congressional District: Kelly vs. Black

In Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District, Republican incumbent Trent Kelly faces Democrat Dianne Black.

Kelly, who is not facing a primary opponent this year, serves as chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee. Kelly also serves as chairman of the Defense Intelligence and General Architecture Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Additionally, Kelly serves on the House Agriculture Committee.

Black doesn’t appear to be a candidate on any particular policy point, but he told the Clarion Ledger earlier this year that he was fulfilling his promise to help maintain and build the number of Democrats in Congress. He also plans to be a pro-Biden and Harris congressman and support Democratic leadership.

Mississippi 2nd Congressional District: Thompson vs. Eller

In District 2, Democrat Bennie Thompson is running against Republican opponent Ron Eller.

Thompson, who has held his seat since 1993, is running again and hopes to focus on improving nutrition access and food security for people in his district, as well as solving the state’s rural hospital problems. He is also an advocate for expanding Medicaid and creating more jobs in Mississippi.

Ron Eller said in a written statement to the Clarion Ledger that he wants to focus on improving educational standards in both schools and prisons. He also believes in creating an environment where people can be educated and find more jobs.

Mississippi 3rd Congressional District: Guest running unopposed

U.S. House Representative Michael Guest, a Republican, is entering the race unopposed this year.

Jarvis Gordon, who qualified to run against Guest as a Democrat, withdrew from the race in late February.

Mississippi 4th Congressional District: Ezell vs. Raybon

Incumbent Republican Mike Ezell is running against Democrat Craig Raybon.

Ezell was elected in 2022 to replace former seat holder Steven Palazzo. Some of his priorities as stated in his campaign website, anti-abortion laws, support for law enforcement, border security, focus on domestic policy issues, and support for the military.

“I’m working hard in Congress to grow our economy through lower taxes and fewer regulations and to secure America’s southern border to stop illegal immigration,” Ezell said in a written response to the Clarion Ledger. “As a former law enforcement officer for 40 years, I have seen firsthand the problems caused by illegal immigration and drugs, so we must put an end to this border crisis now.”

Raybon did not respond to multiple requests to discuss his campaign.

It is stated on its website that it attaches importance to women’s rights, health services, employment opportunities and increasing salaries.

Mississippi U.S. Senate: Wicker vs. Pinkins

In Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent Roger Wicker faces Democratic challenger Ty Pinkins.

Key issues on which Wicker is campaigning include protecting the U.S. border by building a wall, Second Amendment gun rights, economic growth, the anti-abortion movement and increased military spending.

Pinkins launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate last year before stepping back to run an unsuccessful campaign for Mississippi Secretary of State. Following her defeat, Pinkins announced that she would return to run for the U.S. Senate in January.

Pinkins said he is working on criminal justice reform, access to affordable health care, education reform in Mississippi and across the country, providing affordable housing, countering voter suppression, investing in sustainable energy and economic development.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government in the Legislature for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at [email protected] or 972-571-2335.