THIS IS HUGE NEWS.  There will be a herd of people expressing interest in the next three of four days trying to get out ahead of the pack.

Stay tuned.  We are already getting feelers.

Several names have been noodled on at CottonMouth.  Another name that has been tossed around this afternoon is that of Haley Fisackerly.  Haley is a former staffer for Senator Cochran on the Hill and worked at the highest levels to get Roger Wicker elected in 1994.  He has impeccable DC credentials.  He is currently a senior executive at Entergy Nuclear.

Though he does not have the name ID of several candidates that will surface, he knows the district very well and is well tied into the political establishment in MS and DC.

Maybe that good Republican John Ditto should get in.

Jim Perry may already have the backing of many of the state’s Republican elite

I’m liking Ross for this one.

Kingfish

Nick Walters has also been mentioned.

Tate Reeves is a compelling possibility.  He will have been twice elected.  He has about $750K in the bank that he could start spending this election just to build name ID.  He is also a proven fundraiser and is someont that could put $ in the bank. 

He is one of those folks that could afford to hop in later on (late 2007/early 2008).  He would still be Treasurer, so he would have no real downside.

However, I like Ross in Congress better to handle the Bennie Thompson/Pelosi types. Nick is too nice, so is Reeves. We have a shooting war going on and need a street fighter like Ross who was in the military to get in there and fight for the troops.

Kingfish

I keep hearing that Mark Keenum and Whit Hughes will jump in the race as well.....I know one thing, Mississippi State should pick this house seat up, with Keenum, Tuck, Hughes, Fisackerly and Hughes all being tossed about.....

gregg harper will most certainly get a look

also, with pickering out of congress, that opens up the on deck circle for a senate seat.  lott and/or cochran both probably at end of senate road.  does wicker move up to first available opening in senate?  THEN what happens to the first district?  merle flowers v. greg davis?

I am hearing a lot of people talk about Whit Hughes for this spot.  The MSU folks are going to want one of their own and Hughes fits that mold.  His strong connections to the Governor and big time name ID with MSU folks are a plus. 

Who knows though.  There are probably 20 people thinking about running for this seat right now.

had ross won lt gov, i would be inclined to think whit stood a good chance.  no way in hell phil bryant allows a strong ross guy to move into position for that seat.

Now Bryant is some sort of kingmaker?  You Phil zealots never cease to amaze.

not saying that, simply saying that the soon to be lt gov MIGHT have a say in statewide GOP politics.  but since you are lee atwater, please induldge us with your wisdom

Would wicker leave his place on appropriations to run for senate?

Wicker is now first in line for whichever senate seat opens up.  Of course he jumps for that and wins the race quite easily....as of today.

wicker would be gone if a senate seat opened up.  absolutely.

Thanks for the link.  I’ll look into some of the names that have been thrown up here and see if there’s anything to them.

Gregg Harper is going to be strong and one to watch.

On the Dem side, Ronnie Musgrove is the only one of the three who sounds promising.  I can’t understand why the statewide Democratic leadership fixates on Ronnie Shows to the exclusion of other candidates--I saw this happen in the early stages of the LG race, too--and it would be a mistake to clear the field for him from where I’m standing.

Let me also point out an obvious name on the D side that nobody else has pointed out yet: Frank Melton.  Just saying.

On the Rep side, Amy Tuck is by far the most interesting possibility.  I would show up to vote for Tuck over Shows.  The others do not impress me, though obviously Charlie Ross would be well situated for a run and his qualifications are solid.

When Pickering vacancy rumors surfaced last year during the Lott retirement rumors, I heard Mary Hawkins Butler’s name brought up a lot on the R side.  I am not a fan of hers but she would be an extremely potent candidate, and she would probably have an edge over her opponents vis-a-vis donations.

Agreed re: Wicker for the next Senate vacancy, but it would be a mistake to underestimate Pickering’s long-term name recognition value.  We’ll be hearing from him again, possibly with the next Senate vacancy, possibly in the 2011 gubernatorial race, where he would be a strong candidate.

Mary Hawkins Butler?  Mother Mary?  Oh no....I would vote for anyone but her if she were in the race.  I like Ross over Tuck.  I am a Phil supporter, but I know I could trust Charlie Ross in office in Washington.

No doubt, he’ll be back for the next Senate vacancy if Lott and Cochran hold for another couple of terms. If not, Wicker will run for the first Senate seat available and Pickering will run in the governor’s race in 2011. Pickering’s youngest son will be 18 by 2016 and he’ll be ready for another trip to Washington by then.

Agreed that Ross looks like a good fit for Third District and he has the recent name recognition to help out.

Mother Mary has made far too many political enemies to get beyond a statewide office. She’ll be a big target and likely skewered in any race. But, especially that of a congressional seat.

Tom Head sez, “I would show up to vote for Tuck over Shows.”

... which is the reason that Tuck will never be the GOP nom.  The bridges have been burned.

Disagreeing with the governor over a fiscal policy issue is all it takes for a popular two-term lieutenant governor to burn her bridges in the Mississippi GOP?  Surely you’re joking.

If that’s all you know of Tuck’s history within the GOP---popular is a pretty good stretch… I suggest you dig a little further.  And “disagreeing” is hardly the position she took.  Her purpose in that stunt, which is what it truly was, merits/flaws discluded, was to launch her own name/candidacy for governor.  How did that work out for her now?

And Tom, quite frankly, if YOU would support her, why would GOP voters support her?  There is clearly a wide bridge between our philosophies---surely YOU’RE joking.

I’d vote for Arlen Specter or Susan Collins for Mississippi governor any day, FtR.  Your party is a big tent, remember? 

‘Course if it stops being a big tent and starts enforcing party loyalty, like the Democratic Party seems to be doing more of these days, then that would have all kind of repercussions in the legislature, I imagine.

As for Tuck and the governor’s mansion: If you think she was going to challenge Haley Barbour in the primary this year, you must think the woman’s stupid.  2011 would be the year, and she’s still damn competitive for 2011 from where I’m standing.

Alternately, it’s possible that the reason she decided not to run for anything else this year is because Chip Pickering tipped her in early on his decision to retire.  Or maybe Thad Cochran has done the same.  She’ll leave the office term limited out as the most popular, and arguably the most powerful, statewide elected official.  Where she goes from there is pretty much her decision, but I would not want to be the Republican who runs against her in the district 3 primary, if she wants it.

I guarantee you that no one in GOP high-up circles is tipping Amy Tuck.... they’d sooner tip a cow.  Hey, wait a minute!

If you’re not aware, as recently as the past 2 years, Mrs. Little---oh wait, that’s MS. Tuck, had talks about switching BACK to the Dems. 

No one who is supporting another candidate will be worried about Amy Tuck.

Well, let’s say hypothetically that she did enter the race as a Dem.  If she got the nomination, wouldn’t she stand much better odds of winning district 3 than Musgrove or Shows?

It’s too bad there doesn’t seem to be any recent poll data on Tuck, because I’m sure her favorable numbers are high.

Tom--hypothetically or not, she’s burned her bridges with the Dems and with the GOP… it’s tough to switch parties and have no backlash, but it’s even tougher to dance around switching back and have any friends on either side.  The friend who count anyway, meaning, those who will work to get you launched.  True, average voters won’t necessarily be aware of all of that mess, but if the “friends” who get a Congressional candidate rolling aren’t your friends anymore, you’ll never even make it to the voters.  Plus, with the roster of qualified, attractive candidates for the GOP to chose from in this thing, who needs to even run her name around?

I hope Ross runs.  Like some other guys (Lott and Phillips) he has tremendous name recognition left from this past primary, was the close second choice for many voters, and has an volunteer army still in the field.  And, the public may feel they owe him this. Funny how these things work out....by coming in second Ross may be set for the US Congress.

Sen. Ross would make a great Congressman, and it would follow a pattern of State Senators going to Washington.  Wicker, Shows and Taylor all served in the Senate.  Sen. Ross has the organization, name ID and fundraising ability to make a great candidate.  He also has shown toughness.  Something that other Republican candidates who have been mentioned may lack.  This should be fun to watch.

On another note, how many state wide candidates are scratching their heads right now? (Supervisor Barbour, Sen. Pickering, Mr. Hoseman...and even Mr. Bryant)

Congressman Ross… better than LG I think

you have got to be joking. Charle Ross has burned far to many bridges to win that race. You think anybody that supported Phil Bryant would lift a finger to help Charlie Ross? Gregg Harper will be a force. Tuck isn’t running. Whit Hughes? Surely you are joking.

Who is Gregg Harper? Never herd of him....

Gregg Harper - Brandon attorney and long time chairman of the Rankin County Executive Committee.  He is a great guy… very well-liked and very well connected.  He would be a powerhouse for sure.

Thanks for the info… I didnt realize the quick nature of the race. Qualifying is over January 11, with the primary taking place in March. Political junkie’s dream, get done with November then bring this on. Should be fun.....

its gregg harpers race to lose.  ross will not dare face him.  just look at the rankin county gop vote for bryant - ross.  replace bryant’s name with harpers and maybe even add some points to that.  people of the 3rd...greg harper is your next congressman.  and he’s a solid person to have.

"Who is Gregg Harper?” .... the question that everyone outside of Metro Jackson will ask.. and the reason that this is Ross’ race

"You think anybody that supported Phil Bryant would lift a finger to help Charlie Ross?”

You must be mistaking Phil Bryant for the party leader of MS GOP politics… or some sort of czar.  Whether Phil likes it or not, that seat is already filled by GHB and don’t think that he won’t back Ross---out in the open this time.

And I might ask you BRGOP.... do YOU expect Ross voters to support/lift a finger to help Bryant win the LG race?

Think about that

Gregg Harper’s race to lose? That is classic. I have never herd of him, not saying I wouldnt vote for him or not, in the six years I have been actively following Mississippi Politics. Gregg Harper is right there with Whit Hughes, Haley Fisackerly, and Mark Keenum regarding name recognition. Not that much outside the typical political junkies mindset. Even Hughes, Keenum, and Fisackerly have more than Harper.

This is not Gregg Harper’s race to lose.

.

how much of D3’s vote is rankin county?  gregg harper has been rankin GOP chairman and helping locals get elected in rankin for how long?  gregg harper has raised how much for local/statewide officials over the years?  gregg harper jumps to the front.  easily.

Well, drat.  Amy Tuck isn’t running.

how much of D3’s vote is rankin county?

Not enough for Harper.

Either Gregg Harper is on here posting or he has a small following of folks on here trying to fool us into believing he is well known and likely the next congressman. I am a party activist and have only heard his name in passing.  The truth be told, he is not well known and Rankin county alone will not carry him over the top.

I did not vote for Charlie in the lt. governor primary (and won’t this time) but as a student of politics, I know he has a solid advantage in this race with Amy Tuck’s non-interest.

I will either be supporting Mark Keenum or Whit Hughes. I know and like Dr. Keenum but Whit (who I have never met) is still my top choice. He has a compelling story as a Final Four basketball star, public official and would be a national party favorite as he was one of the top professional fundraisers for the 6 Republican U.S. Senators who were elected in 2004.

I could warm on Gregg but I have these questions:

What political experience does he have outside of the Rankin GOP Chairmanship?

What university did he attend? Because you know the MSU-UM parochialism will be in full affect.

Does he know anything about fundraising?

I’ve been around the tri-county block a few times and I’ve never heard of Gregg Harper.

gregg harper is a tireless fundraiser for the rankin county GOp and i think, records will show, that the rankin gop annually give thousands to candidates.  raising funds for the first quarter of a failed lt. gov race hardly makes hughes the frontrunner.  i dont care where he played ball.

Hernando Man--Since when does raising money for Republicans qualify someone to be a Congressman?  I’m interested in his/her opinion on the issues, leadership, and character, not whether he/she can persuade folks to sign a check.  Let’s find someone with the right solutions to problems and the right political philosophy.  When that man or woman steps up to the plate, money will follow. 

I’m Charlie’s angel.

HDMatthias, MD

And Tom H--thank goodness Republicans won’t have to deal with that ersatz Republican Tuck.  In my opinion, she pulled a Lester Spell.  The only difference is that Lester didn’t have the Republican Party pay off a $500,000 “loan” to Dickie Scruggs for the honor of joining the party.

Angel, Well spoken!!

Raising money does not qualify someone to be a Congressman but the inability to raise money disqualifies them.

Fisackerly, Nosef and Ross would all be extremely stong candidates and serve Mississippi well if elected.  Doesn’t look like Tuck will run and I have never heard of Gregg Harper though he could be a great guy.  Walter Micheal is a joke.

Another name that has popped up over the weekend . . . Scott Newton.  He ran against Jim Hood in ‘03.  He raised over $1,000,000.  He was former FBI and Asst. US Atty.

He is now in private law practice with Chip’s dad (Judge Charles Pickering).  He might have an interesting look at the race.

I remember Scott Newton.  He’d be a good candidate.

Where are the Democratic candidates for this district?  The possibilities of Rob Smith and Eric Clark are promising, but I’m not hearing the surge of interest that I’d expect.  Granted that District 3 is as solidly Republican as District 2 is Democratic, but this is where the blue dogs circle three times and lie down.  I was surprised Pickering didn’t have a challenger in 2006 and I’m surprised the open district seat isn’t getting more rumor action.  Don’t make me run, Mr. Dowdy.  That would not be pretty.

I’m still liking Ross. I think he is better suited for Congress than Lt. Gov.

Kingfish

hold on..all these names of powerful republicans to run for chip’s job..yall have left out the most qualified candidate. he is young top gun republican with tremendous washington connections, a super star in his own mind, now do not tell me you all have forgot nic lott.........

I wouldn’t call any State Senator a joke.  Wicker, Taylor and Shows all came from the Senate.  Sen. Michael would run a fine race and be a good candidate, but I just think the GOP leaders would tend to give Sen. Ross the nod. 

If the Lt. Gov’s race didn’t prove anything else, it showed name ID matters.  That’s just something no other candidate has right now, and with only 6 months to go til the primary Sen. Ross still has county organization in place.  Others will be starting from scratch.

But does Charlie Ross even want to run?  Serving as Mississippi lieutenant governor right here in Jackson and leading the state senate, with the possibility of running for governor next time around, is a completely different animal from going off to DC and being one congressman out of 435 for two years.  Plus he might be just plain tired of politics for the time being--I mean, Chip Pickering himself is proof that unbridled ambition isn’t always the only consideration in these folks’ lives.

It might be a good idea to see who’s in the race before we get too comfortably behind specific candidates.  Goodness knows the prospect of Ronnie Shows running for District 3 again isn’t going to set the world on fire, and the fact that he probably can’t win the general is only the third or fourth thing that’s wrong with his candidacy.

...though I’ll say one thing for Ronnie Shows: He does know how to organize a campaign, and he does have name recognition in this district.  Okay, that’s actually two things.

He’s f’n liar and I will do everything possible to make sure he loses if he runs.

Kingfish

All politicians are liars, but Ronnie Shows will always have a special place in my colon for two reasons:<ol><li>He was the first member of Congress, of either party, to propose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage--and it was so long before anyone cared about the issue that he wasn’t even able to find a Senate sponsor.<li>His merged-district campaign against Chip Pickering included some of the most over-the-top xenophobic anti-Mexican rhetoric I’ve heard from either party.</ol>I have said on several cases that I regret pulling the lever for Shows instead of Pickering, and I mean that.  It was a wasted vote.

cases --> occasions.  While we’re at it, let’s pretend that the ordered list rendered correctly…

I remember when he was COngressman and natural gas prices got so high. My Grandmother had gas bills that winter close to $400. My Grandfather, bless his soul, had died without life insurance in the fall. Shows got on the TV in very grand style and made a HUGE deal about how they had arranged for federal help for senior citizens. SO I called the first thing in the morning to his office. They said, oh, it was through the county and I had to call them. Gave me a number. AFter getting transferred three times, I was told that that the list was already filled up, had been for a couple of weeks, and I would have to call back at the beginning of the next month. It was just a show.

Grandstanding on the backs of the elderly.

Scumbag.

What politician doesn’t grandstand during upward price fluctuations in energy prices?  Democrats want the disaster of price and profit controls, Republicans want the opening of forbidden lands and the handjobs of tax subsidies.  They all grandstand.

was a total lie when he said it and I have every right to call him out on it.

Kingfish