Jackson Jambalaya

Go Will!

I thought Longwitz was born to be a judge?

Will is a rarity in his generation - a bright and articulate man who wants to be in public service. He would have made a great judge, and I think he'll make a great Senator. Bill Billingsley

If Longwitz loses he should consider running next year in the Republican primary for President of the United States.

Bill, I agree. Will knocked on my door last year, and I was very impressed. I think he'll do a great job representing us.

Public service? How about publicly financed salary, overly funded pension and freebies all over the place? Oh yeah, plus the per diem and expenses.

Will should stay home. He is a professional office seeker who is not quilified for any.

Could be the second coming of Shawn O'Hara.......

I heard Ridgeland alderman Brian Ramsey is also thinking about running.

10:09 Re: Longwicz - didn't Emily Dickinson coin the phrase "There's no there there"?

Rita Martinson also says she is running.

She is not in the district and can't run. She needs to retire.

9:40 You think $10,000 per year is great?? Mississippi legislators are the lowest paid in the country. It is nothing compared to the time suck and stress those people put up with.

Will got a bad rap from some of you in the Madison County Court Judge race. Whatever personality differences you may have with him or questions you have about his motives, if you talk to him, it doesn't take long to see that he is an intelligent and articulate guy. I'm not saying that means you should vote for him, but people who are talking about lack of qualification need to sit down with Will and then sit down with the average member of the current legislature. Those writing him off need to also remember that he can fundraise and that had his judicial race been limited by the same boundaries in Madison County as the Senate race will be, he would have won.

Brian's a nice guy. I don't know him very well, but have enjoyed my limited interaction with him.

Rep. Martinson would be formidable if she lived in the district or it was likely the district would change to include her prior to qualifying. Neither is true. She will have competition for her house seat from local attorney Bobby Dallas and former Hinds County Representative John Reeves.

From what I've heard, Cory Wilson is still hinting at it, as well. His problem is going to be that if the Senate's lines are approved, he would no longer live in the district and he is a relative newcomer to the community (moving after his defeat to Rep. Cecil Brown in Jackson). Cory would definitely be one of the smartest guys in the field if he jumps in the race, though.

I don't know much about John Dennery, but I'd like to see this become a Madison County Seat. Madison County deserves its own Senator.

I would like to challenge those of you that are making ill comments about anyone who is considering this race to go down and qualify to run in this race yourself. It is easy to be a lump on a log and be on the sidelines make critical comments. Jump out there yourselves and see what it takes to run a political campaign and put yourself in front of the public. Raise the money needed, give up time with your wife and/or family, subject yourself to negative comments (some personal comments abour your body, looks, character, etc.), be subjected to lies, rumors and totally unsubstantiated facts. You should be glad that we have people who are willing to stand for something and fight for a better Mississippi and America. Let me know if you are ready to qualify. My number is 601-201-3050.

Great comment Mary! Spot on. It's easy to sit on the sidelines, shoot spitballs and make cynical anonymous comments. On the other hand it takes real commitment and a devotion to making a difference to come off the bench and get in the game. Glad you're out there. Mark Mayfield

At what point can one continue to claim being an attorney, when they've spent the last two years campaigning for various offices? At least one who actually is committed to his profession? It would be hard for me to do my job as it is currently composed, with 30+ hours of gladhanding and campaigning on top of it.

All of you who voted for him to be your judge, don't you see now that he didn't care at all about the particular position, or its qualifications? If he wanted so badly to be a judge, maybe he should actually, you know, PRACTICE LAW for a few more years and take another shot at it on the next go 'round.

He wants to be a public official. That's the bottom line. There's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. But for anyone of his acolytes to come here and say "he's just right for the job, his qualifications are perfect", or "he's really committed to the people's work in Mississippi", is a laugh.

He's merely committed to advancing his resume in public office. It's not hard to see. He lined up with Haley right out of school. He worked in D.C. He carefully crafted the wording of his experience as an attorney to include plausibly deniable statements about what he has actually accomplished, so that he could justify becoming a jurist.

Brian Ramsey is a much more sincere person than Will Longwitz. If you want to vote for someone who has an actual visceral connection with what he is doing, Ramsey can back it up with years of service in the metro area, in Ridgeland, in service with his church, etc., etc. He didn't begin all of that service as part and parcel of his campaigning for alderman. He's been an actual businessman for years in different capacities before trying his hand at politics.

I have no dog in the hunt, as I don't live in the area. But I know Ramsey is a more sincere person. Their politics are substantially the same, so I think that if you are looking for a good, conservative candidate, I would go with Brian.

Andrew Newcomb

Andrew Newcomb is a personal injury lawyer who lives in Colorado and makes a living suing insurance companies and other businesses. See http://www.coloradotortlaw.com/Attorneys/Andrew-M-Newcomb.shtml

Andrew was one of many trial lawyers who were afraid of Will becoming a judge. It doesn't surprise me that they want to keep him out of the legislature, too. Not sure why Brian Ramsey would want the support of a trial lawyer from Colorado. Brian deserves better than that. Good enemy though, Will!

What would Barbara Dunn do?

Is the Madison GOP officially endorsing Longwitz or something?

Second the motion on John Dennery.

It was Gertrude Stein who said, "There's no there there," referring to Oakland, CA.

12:20 FWIW I'm a physician, normally diametrically opposed to plantiff's attorneys and their ilk, but I'm also very wary of Longwicz ("there's no there there")

it sounds like entitlement. "Madison County deserves its own Senator." since when did a town of 26,000 deserve a state senate seat???? and dont come back with the money that is in madison county...

it sounds like entitlement. "Madison County deserves its own Senator." since when did a town of 26,000 deserve a state senate seat????

Since when did Jackson deserve 5 state senate seats when its population rises to the threshold of only enough residents for 3 seats?

LESS FILLING!!!

who mentioned jackson 1:40 pm?

1:40 mentioned Jackson 1:57.

Dear 12:20:

Andrew Newcomb is exactly what you said he is. He is me. You got my bio from my website. Good research. Why don't you ping me on Westlaw as well? You'll find that I do more than "sue insurance companies". Although, I do plenty of that.

You can also go to my blog and read about some of my more interesting cases and issues. Your crack research skills suggest that I don't even need to give you the link!

As to why a "trial lawyer" would endorse Brian Ramsey over Will Longwitz, as I said in my original post, it's because Brian is a sincere, nice, empathetic, passionate person. He's conservative. I don't care. I am actually able to see through or across party lines. Brian is what all the Madison conservatives think they would be getting with Will, he just has some actual substance to his swagger.

Also, I like that you use the moniker "trial lawyer" as a negative in my instance, but forget that in one of the very few recorded cases involving Mr. Longwitz, he represented a gentleman in a lawsuit to protect his individual rights to demonstrate and free speech in re: his display of an Obama sign in Madison County. That's oddly enough one of the things that I do in a pro bono capacity. I guess that makes ol' Will a "trial lawyer". Hope your head didn't explode on that one.

Andrew Newcomb

Also, and I hate to beat the horse, but as you pointed out, I live in COLORADO. Thus, I could give a dog's behind about him being elected to the bench in Madison County from a practitioner's perspective.

However, being a native Mississippian, I do want to see people with actual legal abilities on the bench for the benefit of the populace.

Andrew Newcomb

Go make life better in Colorado. Or why couldn't you keep your job in Mississippi? If you are so concerned about Mississippi, come back and run yourself! Oh right, you don't live here.

A whole lot of the Madison County Republican Party will be out working for Will. Will is not afraid of hard work. His support by people like Leland Speed shows you he is smart, business-friendly and not going to do anything to hurt either Madison County or Northeast Jackson.

andrew you have mistaken this site for the jackson free press take your pompous liberal ass over there and chat...

I apologize for signing my name to my posts. It created far too great of an opportunity for ad hominem attacks, which you dove right in to. I will, after this one, return to "anonymity" so you can then use the "why don't you identify yourself" meme normally trotted out.

All of which, of course, has absolutely zip to do with the original message.

I would think you'd want someone who would actually possess some legal and business acumen for those respective elected positions. You obviously aren't worried about that.

My point is simply that you've got another great candidate who is basically what you believe Will to be, but also has some bona fides, and was born and raised in that area, and has some real vested interest in it.

But, there you go.

Andrew Newcomb

@Anonymous 12:49 The Madison County GOP does not endorse Candidates until after the Republican Primary. We get behind the candidate that wins the Primary Election 100% at that time if there is a Democrat opponent. We can openly support candidates that do not have a Republican opponent now (such as Steve Simpson, AG Candidate, Lee Westbrook, Kay Pace, Gerald Barber, Arthur Johnston and others that are not opposed). I meet will all Republican candidates that call me or the others that serve on the Committee and ask for help. I think that if those who make cruel comments on these blogs walked in the shoes of these candidates they would think twice about making not so nice statements.

Seems like the closest things to cruel comments on this one have been directed toward the guy from Colorado.

Anybody can say that Leland Speed supports them but Speed hasn't said anything and I doubt he's here posting anonymously.

I'm the one who made the comment about Madison County deserving a seat. The poster who said it sounded like an entitlement argument tried to be sleight of hand in quoting the population of Madison, the city. Madison County has over 90k in population, about 40k more than the average Senate District. Its population is growing, but it is largely divided up by legislators who live outside of the county and whose allegiance is to other counties/interests.

Anyhow, I concur heartily with Mary. It's easy to sit back and anonymously throw stones at people. A lot harder to do something constructive. -Russ

KF, can you share some info of Dennery and why you think he would make the best candidate/senator? -Russ

While I appreciate your precise, and concise counter-arguments (douche, douche, douche!), do you have anything to say that might suggest that I am incorrect in what I am stating?

I would prefer to debate the candidates, as opposed to opinions of my personal presence or absence of A) douche, or B) "liburl" views.

Can you do it? Take it as a challenge. I bet you can't.

Andrew Newcomb

I'm no champion for the plaintiff's bar, but I don't think Mr. Newcomb has said or done anything that makes him a "douche." He came on, shared his opinion and had the courage to put his name behind his words. Resorting to name calling or the "shut up and go away" mentality is either a sign of intellectual weakness or ulterior motives. Do you have something against Brian Ramsey? Support another candidate?

Sure this post will subject me to similar ridicule, but that's okay. Wouldn't be the first time on this blog and I'm sure it won't be the last.

We've got a lot of problems in our counties, state and nation. It seems like we'd rather belittle each other than address the issues we face. -Russ

douchebags the whole lot of ya'

kingfish what is the population of madison county?

3:40 - i apologize you are right on about population actually exceeding 90k in madison county. 95k and some change im impressed

A trial lawyer is an attorney who represents his client should the case go before a judge.
" Trial lawyer" is also a campaign marketing ploy used to smear the entire legal profession with the excesses of some personal injury attorneys and criminal lawyers.
Our entire Supreme Court are members of The American College of Trial Lawyers...an " invitation only organization of the best of the profession.

Mary, good comments but rather difficult these days to understand why anyone who has not already inherited or earned enough money in the private sector to support their family and insultate them from the inevitable character assassination subsequent emotional hatred stirred up in campaigns these days. It's especially difficult to understand when the salary is a small percentage of the cost to attain office.
It really just screams power hungry and interested in turning a mediocre financial history into a lucrative future. Too many poor boys turning into millionaires to suit me.
SO...sorry if I'm a bit jaded as to how " WONDERFUL" anyone's candidate is. Or believe that the reason we don't have good government is that the power hungry have succeeded in making it near impossible for the honest man to run OR succeed.

@4:35/5:01 I make it a point not to make up statistics--especially those that are easily verifiable (kidding). No need to apologize, though. Madison County has been a growin'.

@4:58- what are you talking about?
Should I not read about my home state? Did I call someone a douche? I think I used the word after having it thrust at me first.

Anyway, enjoy the velvet ditch.

Andrew Newcomb

I like mine with crushed nuts and jimmies.

Russ Latino said...

@4:35/5:01 I make it a point not to make up statistics--especially those that are easily verifiable ... Madison County has been a growin'.

The Senate plan has some real problems and itself is too protective of incumbents at the expense of the last decade of population growth in conservative areas. There are some Burton plan Senate districts that are as gerrymandered as anything in the House plan. Burton deflects by crowing about the reduction in splits. Which is fine but still doesn't justify the extreme geographic gyrations of some districts only drawn to protect incumbents.

@7:51 p.m.- Is that directed at me? I would love to know, if so, what in the world you're referring to.

You seem to have a little pet vendetta. Wanna talk?

Who is "chasing others [sic] misery?"

Andrew Newcomb

You know what? At least Mr. Newcombe has the guts to put his name on everything he writes and i can respect that. There is much we disagree on but he has done nothing to warrant some of the name-calling. Cleanup is in progress.

Well, this is a good start to what I'm sure will be a number of lively discussions that will be held on JJ this summer. I hope we can keep it civil, though. While I don't agree with him, Mr. Newcomb certainly has a right to state his opinions just like anyone else, and the name calling is beneath the discussion. Bill Billingsley

leland speed junior or senior???

kingfish in this similar to the big government bail out... this guy comes on here and rants and raves about himself and you delete peoples comments who call him out... the name calling comes from the way he has praised himself and the fact that he claims to be of certain substance but in truth only dances around facts and murders the dictionary to sound beauracratic. He is not, I say not, being ripped for his views.

plus he only prints his name so he can see it and so it will show up on google...

Aw Geez, the black helicopter crowd is back.

Similar to the "big govt bail out"? And you want to be taken seriously?

@9:02- Good morning to you! The point of my comments from the beginning were to point out my opinion on the candidates, and my particular criticism of Will Longwitz as a candidate in this, and his prior, races.

I was careful not to "rant and rave about myself", as you pointed out. How have I done so? A quotation would be a good start.

I've noticed you don't care to actually answer any questions posed to you, at least by me.

Care to comment on the original topic, or is it too far gone?

Andrew Newcomb

i would love to comment on the original topic. dont know any of the candidates personally, but admire their desire to take a state that is ranked last in the nation in most major categories and try to change it for the better. i also admire republicans in this state who have a desire to become an elected official due to a lot of unnecessary racial tension that comes with the job. I do however agree with you on brian ramsey he is as honest as they come and a very hard worker (not exactly a great public presence but nobody is perfect). one other comment that i picked up on from some other post: Everybody assumes incumbents are evil... i think our society is responsible for the changes in government. It is our society that is in shambles and i do not see a way to fix it but to go ahead and have a devastating civil war and start from scratch. After a horrific war i believe our citizens will be thankful for just about anything...
history always repeats itself. Or like i have heard some extreme right radicals say give the states the rights and let people move in/out accordingly.

@2:41 "Brian Ramsey is as honest as they come" You have got to be joking. He has gone over to the dark side. A lot of people who helped him become the alderman he is are not going to be helping in the future, because they are disappointed at the alliances and choices he has made. He is not someone I want in that office at all.

Your idea of "calling him out" is to call him a "douche" and say nothing else over and over?

Go to another website if that is the case, then.

Mr. Newcomb, although I doubt that I'll change your mind and I'm certain you won't change mine, I'll accept your challenge and comment on your original post.

First, it includes lots of opinions and few facts, but that's okay. You seem upset that Will tells people he's an attorney. Sorry, but he's an attorney. In your parlance, the question has been asked and answered. Whether he spends enough time and effort in the practice of law is completely subjective, and you've made your opinion clear, but he's still an attorney. You say he "didn't care at all about the particular position, or its qualifications" in his previous race. I disagree. I believe he cared deeply and wanted to be County Judge. I was there and you weren't, so I think I'm a better judge of that. He met the qualifications for the job or he wouldn't have qualified under the law. Again, using your language, case closed. You do, however, have some things in your original post right. He went to work for Haley. Most people in Mississippi will see that as a positive for Will. He spent some time in DC. I think that is a good thing as well, and even better if, like you seem to think, he took those jobs knowing that they'd provide him with valuable experience that would serve him well in a career in public service. You question his sincerity, but how can you do that and still criticize him for seeking jobs that would help prepare him for his chosen career?

I appreciate your kind words for Mr. Ramsey. Like I have often said, we will have better government when more people take an active role in supporting their candidates. However, you seem to be more interested in attacking his opponent than supporting Mr. Ramsey, and I've never appreciated that kind of campaigning. Why should I agree with your positive comments about him when I don't agree with your negative comments about Will?

Your bottom line is the same as mine - Will wants to be a public official. As I've said, that's a good thing and I wish more people were like him. I believe he's well qualified for the state senate, but more importantly I believe he's the kind of person we need in the legislature. Oh, by the way, I know what an acolyte is. I looked it up - it's right there between ACLU and acorn, not that you would have noticed. I don't think Will has any acolytes, but he has plenty of people who believe in him, and I am confident he's going to be our next state senator. Bill Billingsley

Bill,

You're correct. He is an attorney, because he did graduate from law school and went on to pass a bar, presumably the Mississippi one. But, as many people pointed out when attacking his opponent in that judge race, his opponent was "just a title attorney", which somehow meant he wasn't qualified to be a judge. How much he was committed to his job isn't as subjective as you'd like it to be. His relatively light CV speaks for itself.

As you note, I am giving my opinion. My opinion, and I would imagine most people reading a post would understand it as no more than that, is that Longwitz is an office-chaser. Not for any real desire to do any particular public service, just to get in to the influence peddling game. By the way, that opinion is underpinned by the *fact* that Longwitz claimed, somewhat misleadingly, to be a federal prosecutor to beef up his resume in the judge race. I happen to think that is disingenuous, and has reinforced my belief re: sincerity.

Is that right? I don't know. It appears to me to be so. Why would someone devote so much time to two gaining vastly different positions as county court judge and state senator, and in each one state that he is fully dedicated to each? Had he won the judgeship, would he felt as moved to then vacate it to run for Sen. Michel's seat becuase he felt called?

It's simple. I've met them both, and known them both a little, long before they had any particular designs on this office. My experience with them at that level is what guides my opinion. I believe that, on balance, their knowledge, education, background, ability to reason, and other baseline qualifications are roughly equal.

My opinion was simply that Brian was and remains a more sincere individual, a little less pompous, little less pround of himself, etc. I think that, all things being roughly equal, I would want the more sincere and less nakedly ambitious person to serve in the office.

I respect that you are in Will's corner. You think he'll make a great senator. You also thought that he'd make a great judge. But do you know how long he would stick around at either of those as he climbed the ladder? And don't you care about that in your overall analysis?

As far as your "ACORN" and "ACLU" jabs, I will assume that you got darn far through your post before you couldn't bear to make the ol' liberal joke.

I've said it a number of times before on here; I'm not particularly liberal. I own and love my guns, don't much like entitlements, think we should charter schools, etc. I'm just more "liberal" than you, apparently, in whatever context you use the word, and so the die must be cast.

Andrew Newcomb

Ramsey has the personality of a marginalized sociopath who went into politics to get emotionally even with all the people who made fun of him behind his back. You wanna talk about someone who is in it just for the power, look no further than Ramsey. Will on the other hand is an intellectual idealist, he is in politics because he wants to make a difference. You tell me who is worse, one who is motivated by revenge or idealism. Both are flawed, and in my opinion you would have to be a fucking nutjob to want to run for anything these days, but at the end of the day the better man who will be fair and honest is Will. Ramsey would sell his sole to become more powerful.

HIs left or right sole?

That makes my feet hurt...clear down to my soul.

Resorting to name calling or the "shut up and go away" mentality is either a sign of intellectual weakness or ulterior motives.

And it ain't much of an advertisement for Longwitz, either. His supporters do not seem to be an asset.

A LITTLE OFF SUBJECT --- but has anyone noticed that over the past few weeks that crime in jackson has been met with sufficient punishment finally. At least the ones being exposed in the news, i am seeing higher bail amounts and even some being held with no bail at all. quite a stretch from the 20k to 40k bails for violent crimes i had seen in the past.

9:22. Can you spell Jeff Weill?

Guys, there is a crime stats post that is more appropriate for this subject.

The candidate must have the ear of the business people, the pulse of the electorate,the vision of the future, the heart of the common man, and be experienced at turning an organization around. Only one name comes to mind in Madison County.

Andy Taggart? Kidding.

That's obvious. Tim Elvis Johnson.

Nope it Karl Banks

What is up with Bill Billingsley obsession with Will Longwitz? Look how much money he gives to mostly losing candidates!!! The question becomes; what do you want in return, Bill? This is exactly why people run away from candidates because all the money and strings attached.

September 1, 2010 2:30 PM First of all, the event was at my house so I'm biased, but I believe that Will is the best candidate for this position. He's worked hard and earned my support, and I think he'll be an excellent judge. As far as his critics here are concerned, it appears to be easy to hide behind that Anonymous tag, which I find curious if not a bit cowardly. If you believe in what you're saying, sign your name to it as I have.

This is my first post to this blog, so I'm not one of the "same old, same old" that you think, but I'll try to be a more frequent visitor in the future. Bill Billingsley

October 4, 2010 11:09 PM I don't know how your classless comment got past Kingfish without being removed, but it has no place in civil discourse.

You also might be interested to know that Mary's niece is married to Steve Ratcliffe's first cousin, so the mayor isn't endorsing either candidate. I don't know where you are getting your information, but it's false.

There have been quite a few negative comments about Will, but very few about the other candidates. In my experience, supporters of one candidate spend a lot of energy criticizing the others when they have nothing positive to offer about their candidate.

On the other hand, I have plenty of positive comments about Will Longwitz. True, he is a tireless campaigner, and maybe some short sighted people see that as a negative in a judicial campaign. However, as long as judges are elected they'll have to campaign to gain the office initially and to hold it from that point on. Through his energetic campaigning, Will is attempting to get to know as many Madison Countians as he can, and he's also allowing them to do the same with him. I prefer a judicial candidate like Will who works hard and is obviously dedicated to the mission. I also believe that the work ethic that Will has shown will be evident after he's elected, and he'll be a welcome addition to the bench in Madison County. Bill Billingsley

October 5, 2010 10:12 AM Rather than muddy myself twice, I'll respond to 9:47 and 9:50 in the same message.

The joke is that you're now using a personal attack on me to distract the people reading these posts from the issue at hand. I'm guessing that neither of you, provided that it's not the same person in both posts, know me at all. If you did, you'd know that I've been involved in Republican politics at every level for a number of years, and I might be associated with lots of candidates and public officials. My relationship with Mayor Hawkins is fine, but no one with any knowledge of it would ever suggest that I'm her puppet. Nice try, though.

While I don't resort to crude language in a public forum like this, I'll simply say that if you had what you claim Mary has given back to me then you'd put your name on your comments like I do. Until you're proud enough of your work to sign your name to it, you don't rise to the level of anyone who deserves my attention. Bill Billingsley

April 11, 2011 9:14 AM Will is a rarity in his generation - a bright and articulate man who wants to be in public service. He would have made a great judge, and I think he'll make a great Senator. Bill Billingsley

April 12, 2011 7:56 AM Well, this is a good start to what I'm sure will be a number of lively discussions that will be held on JJ this summer. I hope we can keep it civil, though. While I don't agree with him, Mr. Newcomb certainly has a right to state his opinions just like anyone else, and the name calling is beneath the discussion. Bill Billingsley
April 12, 2011 6:20 PM Mr. Newcomb, although I doubt that I'll change your mind and I'm certain you won't change mine, I'll accept your challenge and comment on your original post.

First, it includes lots of opinions and few facts, but that's okay. You seem upset that Will tells people he's an attorney. Sorry, but he's an attorney. In your parlance, the question has been asked and answered. Whether he spends enough time and effort in the practice of law is completely subjective, and you've made your opinion clear, but he's still an attorney. You say he "didn't care at all about the particular position, or its qualifications" in his previous race. I disagree. I believe he cared deeply and wanted to be County Judge. I was there and you weren't, so I think I'm a better judge of that. He met the qualifications for the job or he wouldn't have qualified under the law. Again, using your language, case closed. You do, however, have some things in your original post right. He went to work for Haley. Most people in Mississippi will see that as a positive for Will. He spent some time in DC. I think that is a good thing as well, and even better if, like you seem to think, he took those jobs knowing that they'd provide him with valuable experience that would serve him well in a career in public service. You question his sincerity, but how can you do that and still criticize him for seeking jobs that would help prepare him for his chosen career?

I appreciate your kind words for Mr. Ramsey. Like I have often said, we will have better government when more people take an active role in supporting their candidates. However, you seem to be more interested in attacking his opponent than supporting Mr. Ramsey, and I've never appreciated that kind of campaigning. Why should I agree with your positive comments about him when I don't agree with your negative comments about Will?

Your bottom line is the same as mine - Will wants to be a public official. As I've said, that's a good thing and I wish more people were like him. I believe he's well qualified for the state senate, but more importantly I believe he's the kind of person we need in the legislature. Oh, by the way, I know what an acolyte is. I looked it up - it's right there between ACLU and acorn, not that you would have noticed. I don't think Will has any acolytes, but he has plenty of people who believe in him, and I am confident he's going to be our next state senator. Bill Billingsley

9/9/2010 8:00:00 AM
Early work leads to big donations for Longwitz

Campaign finance reports show Longwitz has raised $57,213 as of July 9 and spent $11,233 (the next finance report from candidates is due on Oct. 10).

The reports show Ratcliff has collected $34,110 and spent $10,237, while Bluntson raised $9,295 and spent $5,440 and Brown hasn't raised any money but reported $600 in expenditures.

The analysis by the Journal covers campaign contributions and disbursements from Jan. 1 2010, through June 30, 2010.

The committee to elect Longwitz has held several fundraisers, drawing dozens of individual donations from some notable Madison County residents, including Dr. S.L. Sethi, Peter Debeukelaer and Donna Sims, who each gave $500.

He also received $500 from Henry Barbour of Capitol Resources LLC, and the political groups Pickering for Congress and Friends of (state Senator) Lee Yancey. Leland Speed of Eastgroup Properties Inc., and WILLIAM BILLINGSLEY of Madison donated $1,000.

Well, I never expected to be such a celebrity. Maybe you should give me a call and we can have lunch.

While I'm not a Republican Party old guard guy like Billy Mounger or Clarke Reed, I have been involved in party politics for awhile, and many people at the county and state level know this. Whether they should or not, candidates and party officials often seek my input, and I'm involved in a number of campaigns, Will's being one of them. I'm no more obsessed with Will than any of the rest, but I'm not the type of person to let insults slide. For some reason, Will seems to generate lots of discussion, and I defend him when I think I need to. I have done the same thing for others, if you follow other threads on this blog, and I'll continue to support the candidates I like.

What's in it for me? You must not know me at all, or you'd know that I don't spend much time with my hand out in Madison, Canton, Jackson or Washington. The last time I lobbied anyone for anything was years ago when I was trying to hold off some Medicare cuts in home health care, and that was all in Washington. I have spent some time around the state capitol because my father in law was in the Senate before he died, so I know a bunch of our lawmakers. I don't need Will to further my interests in the state senate, provided I ever have any. Google me and you'll find that I have given a lot of money to a host of candidates over the years, and I've never asked any of them for anything. You're right when you point out that many of them have lost, but I've always tried to donate to candidates I like, not necessarily the ones I thought would win. Getting involved in political campaigns is my way of giving back some of the blessings I've enjoyed. If that sounds corny or you choose not to believe it, so be it.

I'm no more obsessed with Will than I was with Charlie Ross when he ran for Lieutenant Governor one year and Congressman the next. Both are friends of mine, and I supported Charlie then and Will now because I believe they're the best candidates. Don't try to read any more into it than that, and if you'll quit making unjustified criticisms of Will - and of me - then I'll be happy to leave this thread behind and move on to the next one. Bill Billingsley

The criticisms aren't unjustified; you just don't agree with them.

They are quite real.

What about Mike Crook for the Senate post? Lives in Madison Cty, experienced, can raise money?

how ironic would it be if mary' s whipping boy Tim Johnson could not only run but win this seat...

Wow. Last week I jokingly said to somebody, "I guess Will Longwitz will run for Senate."

I thought the headline was a joke.

I know Will a little bit. I gave him my vote in the primary because he was the first one who asked for it personally. He also asked me to convey to certain of my colleagues certain general principles. I won't get specific, but you can probably figure it out.

For the first time in my life, I switched my vote during the runoff. A couple of reasons.

1. His actions (one ad in particular) during the last weeks of the primary belied exactly what he asked me to convey to certain of my colleagues.

2. His disparagement of his opponent as a "title attorney" when he himself had been practicing 2 years tops. That, and he puffed his resume. "Special Prosecutor" in justice court was laughable. I know.

Will is a very bright, nice, charismatic guy. I was stunned enough at his level of hubris to switch my vote last fall.

His candidacy for this office confirms every sinking feeling I had about him. And that's sad, because he is a nice guy.

Mr. Bill and I, I have come to learn, have a couple of mutual acquaintances, and one very good mutual friend. So it's of no moment that we disagree on this particular candidate/candidacy.

But his loyalty to Will is to be commended.

Okay, 1:56, I'll bite. The first time you mentioned Mike Crook, I was sure you were joking. Lived around here long?

This article, original from the McHerald, is a pretty concise outline of that particularly piece of work. http://thefloraharvester.blogspot.com/2011/01/name-says-it-all-crook-at-it-again.html

I hate to give him any further publicity, but at least if his name is to be mentioned, folks--and particularly newcomers--ought to have some idea of how apt a name it is.

The race has not even really kicked off yet and the mud is flying all over the place. I am sure as more people throw their name in the race, the more mud will come as well. Best of luck to all and let's try to keep it clean! Regards, Ryan

J. Kev has the courage to put his personal experience out here to give a pretty concrete example of what those who doubt Will have observed.

You said it better than I tried to.

Andrew Newcomb

The candidate must have the heart of the common man, the pulse of the electorate,the ear of the business people,the vision of the future, be experienced at turning an organization around, and the ability to raise the funds quickly. Only one name comes to mind who could win in Madison County. And it hasn't been mentioned in this series of post.