Jackson Jambalaya

Just got this press release from my good friend Keith Plunkett:

Gulfport, MS. May 25, 2011—Senator Billy Hewes announced today the addition of former congressional staffer Keith Plunkett as the newest member of his campaign staff for Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi. Plunkett begins June 1 as Communications Director for the Hewes Campaign and as the campaign’s representative for Madison County.

Plunkett has worked as a member of Mississippi Republican Congressman Gregg Harper’s staff since 2008, handling the responsibilities of District Communications and Constituent Services. A member of the Madison County GOP Executive Committee since 2006, he played a key role in organizing the base of support and grass roots effort in Madison and surrounding counties during Harper’s historic run for Congress in 2007. Harper was given little or no chance in a field of seven candidates during the campaign, but surprised many to force a runoff against a better funded and more well-known candidate. Harper went on to win the seat based primarily on his grass-roots campaigning and networking of volunteers, an effort in which Plunkett played a major role.

“I am very excited to have Keith join us as we campaign to maintain solid conservative leadership and experience in the Lieutenant Governor’s office,” said Senator Billy Hewes. “He brings with him a wealth of experience in traditional communication and new media, and is well respected in Madison County. I have worked with Keith on federal issues involving Mississippi over the past couple of years with Congressman Harper’s office. I know firsthand that he will bring to this job tenacity and a work ethic that is second to none.”

Prior to his work on the Harper campaign, Plunkett worked as the Editor and Publisher of the Flora Harvester. He took over the publication in 2006 and quickly grew the print format from a monthly community announcement advertiser into a biweekly news medium and launched a presence on the internet. Under his leadership the publication competed with much larger publications to announce breaking news, tackled political and civic issues and doubled the number of subscribers.

Plunkett says covering politics drew him into a more active role as a campaign adviser.

“There have been only a few people that I have met so far that have the type of genuine leadership skills that inspire me to become more intimately involved in a campaign,” said Plunkett. “One is now a United States Congressman, another is Senator Billy Hewes. If Mississippians truly listen to the important conversation during this campaign over the next couple of months, then he will be our next Lieutenant Governor.”

Plunkett joins two former Congressional staffers already with the Hewes campaign and helps to solidify an already geographically diverse staff. Morgan Shands is Campaign Director and a former Southern Region Representative for Senator Roger Wicker, and Colby Parker previously worked for Alan Nunelee in his successful bid for Congress in 2010 in North Mississippi.

“I think it says a lot to have this type of experience and professionalism associated with our campaign,” said Hewes. “I’m excited to have the support of such a talented team.”

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A small business owner and conservative leader, Billy Hewes was unanimously elected by his colleagues as President Pro Tempore and is serving his fifth term in the Mississippi Senate. Appointed to 13 standing committees, he is responsible for providing leadership in the development and implementation of policy measures, as well as the operational functioning of the Senate. Hewes has an extensive list of community service activities. By profession he is an insurance agent and real estate broker with his family agency in Gulfport, and is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi. Billy and his wife, Paula, make their home in Gulfport with their four children, Katie, Sarah Margaret, Gardner, and Sam.