Jackson Jambalaya

Ask each of them their stance on the MDA Tourism (see "Cultural Attraction") Tax Rebate Program, the program that is trying to fund Costco in Ridgeland and the poor, poor developers awaiting their ill-gotten payday.

It would help me decide if I knew how each stands on the Jackson Airport. Also, how they feel about representing a portion of Jackson in the Legislature. So many bills never get out of committee if the delegation representing Jackson are not unanimous.

Vote for Bill. He does not owe anybody and therefore cannot be controlled. He will vote his conscience. Good man. Conservative.

I live in the Jackson part of the district and am leaning towards Billingsley. I know very little about either of them, but I sense that the other candidate is tight with the Tate Reeves Gang. Billingsley strikes me as more of an independent-minded individual. I'd welcome any other feedback before going to the polls tomorrow...

I've known Walter for many years.......and had many contacts with him when he was in the Legislature previously. Always responsive.....

I'll vote for Walter tomorrow.

I don't know Walter Michel. The friends I have who do speak well of him.

I do know Bill. He's a man of high character & integrity, and a successful business man. If I lived in that district he'd have my vote.

I will be voting for Bill because he is a good guy who will do the right thing. At his age, he's not in this for himself. I believe he would represent our district well.

I'm voting for Bill. He's honest, conscientious and conservative. Walter's a good guy, but a little too "status quo" IMHO. Bill will shake things up a little.

What is their stance on the State Flag?

Per his prior comments, BilL is pro Oxford House.

Voted for Longwitz last time. Voting for Billingsley this time. Billingsley at least had the courtesy to knock on my door and ask for my vote. Michel never ONCE knocked on our door the whole time he was previously in the Senate and we've been in this NEJ house that long.

The Barbour's support Walter Michel So......

Walter touts his Jackson roots which is code for bailed to Madison. To each his own but he won't be getting this Jackson resident's vote.

I know both of them and they are both fine individuals. I will be voting for Walter Michel. He can step in and be effective from day one. He created the sales tax holiday for families and got it passed IN A DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE. He is impeccably conservative and has all of the business and Natl Rifle Assn endorsements.

Both are very good men. I know Walter and trust him. I do not personally knows Bill. Lets get some new blood in there. Walter has already had his time in this arena. I have to go for Bill.

Walter Michel refuses to articulate
a position vis-a-vis Oxford House.

At least with Bill Billingsley
I know in advance what we are getting
and his background gives him some
insights into the matter.

Not voting for evasive politicos.

Then Walter Michel is touting that
he'll return to the Senate with
a lot of seniority.

Well what in the hell did his
seniority get Jackson when he was
in the Senate before?

Nothing but establishment
Republican talking points. That is
the basis for the Walter Michel
campaign.

I have know Walter for over 30 years and he has always been straight forward. His past experience in the legislature will only be a great asset. I will certainly be voting for Walter and would encourage everyone to consider doing the same.

Bill was a Chris McDaniel's guy

Bill will lose just like he did last time...easy race to call.

RE: March 7, 2016 at 9:29 AM

Funny how just months ago ol' Walter was sporting a Bill Billingsley campaign sign in front of the longtime family house on Audubon Park he was selling.

Live right around the corner from that house he's now sold.

You are correct. Walter never came around despite the connection to the neighborhood.

He just assumed that we were with him and papered our mailboxes with direct mail reminding us of his "roots". Like now.

Too bad Oxford House stopped being an issue after the November election. Never even saw a write-up anywhere other than JJ about the guy who died there.

Thanks @9:38. Forever done with the Barbours.

If memory serves correctly Michel was a Charlie Ross backer.

I'm for Walter as he will be able to step right in. Billingsley likely to join the McDaniels crowd and will be ineffective down there.

I will not be voting for Walter because he has the NRA's endorsement. More lenient gun laws aren't needed now that everyone has access to assault rifles and open carry laws are nuts (and for nuts).

I also know both candidates and will vote for Bill Billingsley. Not that Walter has done anything wrong, just think Bill would be more effective and not take anything for granted.

As a result of redistricting this district changed a great deal since Walter last served. The election will be won or lost in Madison County.

OK, I'm going to stop a couple of things right now.

Mr. Billingsley indeed supported McDaniel. Nothing wrong with that. Many conservatives have a problem with Cochran's record and free-spending ways.

Billingsley indeed took part in the ballot examination at the Hinds County Courthouse. McDaniel peeps tried to get him to claim irregularities that did not exist. He refused. They were pretty mad, including one hack known for sending out colorful and slanderous mailers on guns.

When it came to general election, he openly supported Cochran. He stood for McDaniel in primary but then said he was a Republican and it was time to support Thad against the Democrats.

I wish my choices for President of the U S were as good as these two.

Would be curious to know which candidate each of them is supporting for GOP POTUS nominee. Anybody know?

Walter Michel gets my vote. He has proven his abilities in the past and his seniority, if elected, 15th out of 52 Senators WILL be beneficial to Madison/Hinds county residents.

Thanks 10:37!!!
You just helped me make my final decision. I WILL be voting for Walter Michel!!!!

Walter Michel abandoned NE Jackson just like he abandoned downtown Jackson. We don't owe him no allegiance.

Attn 11;32 Maybe he left for his own safety.

Walter should have run for this seat when he had the opportunity in Aug. Why is he running now???

Michel didn't run last year because he didn't want to get stained with a loss. After all the bad mouthing he did of Longwitz he couldn't afford politically to lose to him at the ballot box.

Walter did not run because he was scared of Longwitz. Period.

Both are nice guys. Walter was endorsed by the NRA and his family has a long track record of service in Jackson and the metro area. My wife and i are voting for Walter.

I'm predicting Bill by 15%. What do y'all think?

I love how the few remaining holdouts attack people for leaving Northeast Jackson. Like we are bad people because we actually care about the safety of our loved ones.

9:29. Walter can a knocking on my door. He canvassed the entire subdivision. I was floored to see him and Mrs. Walter at the door.

In 39110

Hey kingfish - where's the GOP presidential primary thread?

The NRA endorsement is meaningless. They support anyone who has been an incumbent.

I will not be voting for anyone associated with Chris McDaniel, so that leaves me no choice but to vote for Walter.

Walter Michel came to my house in NE Jackson a couple of Saturdays ago. He had worked the street and also the two streets over. He has a good group of volunteers. I have been through two elections in a matter of months and I have not seen Billingsley once, nor have I seen anyone on his behalf in our NE Jxn neighborhood, which votes almost exclusively Republican.

What precinct 7:20 PM? Sure you know your voting precinct?

I know Walter. I don't know Bill.
I'm voting for Bill Billingsly.
Draw your own conclusions.

So....to recap, "I like Bill. Bill is a good guy".

Other than attempting to run on the name of his now deceased father-in-law, what is there to Billingsly?

I find it particularly amusing that Billingsly sent his handlers out to run ads criticizing the fact that Michel had the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.

Then Billingsly runs ads of his own, appearing in hunting clothes, grooming horses, tending to a remote hunting lodge and promoting the ownership of guns.

So, Michel is wrong to have gained the endorsement, yet Bill wants to have it appear he is of the same cloth?

I also notice that Michel's ad on this site has changed heading from 'Paid Advertisement' to 'Endorsement'. What the hell is up with that? It took two months to even get this thread going and now, the night before the election, here it is.

I smell rotten 'Fish'.

Chicken-shat journalism to run this thread the night before the election. Kingfish supports and endorses Michel but allows no open discussion for fear of damaging his preferred candidate. Runs this thread now only so he can later say he had an open debate. Shades of Pammy Hancock.

I endorse Michel? How?

What open discussion am I not allowing?

The "this post is a paid advertisement" disclaimer was accidentally left off and is now posted on that particular post. It has been on all other Michel ads.

Satisfied, El Stupo?

Billingsley's Second Amendment Video was done this past summer so how is he copying Michel? They are both running good campaigns however there is very little visibility in Madison that Billingsley even has an opponent. Michel seems to be conquering Facebook.

Point is made KF. Nobody said you didn't allow discussion. But, you wait til the night before the election to have an open debate on the qualifications of these two men. Should have and could have done it weeks ago. Why didn't you? There was a reason. State it. Oh, wait. I know. Because you didn't want to.

2 good choices. I'll be voting for Walter Michel.

There are more Bernie Sanders signs in NE Jackson than there are Billingsley signs. Three BB signs in yards, total. Michel has NE Jxn locked down, and I hear he has most of the players in Ridgeland working for him. Bill better really do well in Madison the city if he wants to win.

Vote Billingsly., a proven businessman and a true gentleman. He is a man of good character! We need more like him not lifetime politicians like Michel who jump into race because he needs a job, he left the senate and did not ru ! It's time for new people with stron business backgrounds! Billingsly! Best Candidate!

I'm voting for Billingsley. He spent over an hour on the phone on a weekend with me talking about the issues, especially healthcare. He was honest and open about tough issues, even those we might not agree on. I think he has no "vested personal interests" at this time in his career, and wants to make "out-of'the-box" exciting new choices.

I'm voting for BB. Walter is already bought and paid for by lobbyists. Case in point-he has one on his advertisement (listed as a "business executive" bahhhahhh....nothing to see here, move along). We have enough of those already trying to run the Capitol. We need a good leader with proven business leadership skills. Walter had his chance.

Vote for somebody who will make 'exciting new choices'! Well, there ya have it.

I'm dismayed by the fact that people make voting decisions based on who seems excited, who appears to look like a good guy and who knocked on their door or didn't.

What about tires? Truck tires. Important stuff. And favorite cereal. Or hunting club affiliation. You know...important stuff.

I'm supporting Michel because I have been totally unable (and tried hard) to find anything untoward about his character, anything scandalous about his past or anything negative said by anybody about his prior performance and conduct in this same job. Those I've spoken with who worked with him in the legislature, argued points with him, helped him craft legislation or even opposed his ideas - not a single one has a negative comment about the man. And I have never met the man.

I know both men. Here's a Madison County opinion (and I'll try to hold any bias)

Walter strength is his experience. He has been in the legislature. That's also his weakness. He started with $300,000+ campaign funds from years ago, and the lobbyists and MMA held him a fundraiser THE WEEK after he announced.

Bill's strength is his outsider appeal during an outsider's presidential election. It's also his weakness. He has not been able to raise the funds like Walter Michel, and is being HEAVILY outspent.

Looking at STRICTLY the money, my conclusion:

Bill will be loyal to the people , Walter will have some loyalty to campaign donors and special interest.

March 7, 2016 at 10:14 PM said:

"Michel has NE Jxn locked down, and I hear he has most of the players in Ridgeland working for him."

How much of this support is the direct result of BB's stance on Oxford House during the last cycle? NE JXN voters want to tar and feather folks for fleeing to Madison, then block vote for Michel to represent their interest after he fled north. Is it as simple as OH or are their other reasons the 39211 crowd overlooks Michel's defection?

Check your sources, 5:49. Michel did almost nothing in the Senate. That's why you hear no complaints. As the old saying goes, if you aren't making enemies, you aren't trying hard enough. That's Walter. 12 years, 1 bill passed. No enemies.

Now, having said that, Bill will be a one-man wrecking ball. On any issue, he will have a better idea -to him- than everybody else. Bill is so in love with his own opinions and such a bull-in-a-china shop, he will alienate them all soon after meeting them.
At least a laggard like Michel will get a bill passed for his district every now and then. Billingsley will throw up his hands after one term and go back to his horses.

I vote Michel.

Michel won't do shit about the Oxford Houses. But he won't tell you that. Because Michel is a lobbyists dream.

At least Billingsley was honest enough to share his opinion about Oxford House though I disagree with him. Give me transparency.

You'll 'try to hold any bias' yet you opine (straight out of your ass) that Michel will be beholdin' to campaign donors and special interests'.

Where do people come up with such ignernce?

Many happy special interests with checkbooks and pens in hand awaiting Walter Michel's return to the Senate. No invoice required.

Andrew Mattiace and Mayor Gene McGee had a fund-raiser for Michel at Seafood Revolution. That tell you something?

Incorrect 11:41. I was there.
Billingsly is a good man but got himself intimidated and aligned with some of my crazy Ridgeland neighbors.
Michel already had my support prior to that - Experience in business and government, good family, and a man of character.

Does nobody care that Billingsley was CHAIRMAN of Chris McDaniel's Madison County campaign? That kind of lapse in judgment scares the hell out of me. He will just be McDaniel's lackey creating chaos on the Senate floor. Walter is better for that reason alone.

You must not know Bill personally. He has had great business experience and not just limited to our state. He has lived in cities outside this state and presided over big business. He has a wonderful family who would do anything for someone in need. He is a part of the Senator Bunky Huggins family and you cannot find a better family than Bunky Huggins family- talk about a successful career of almost 30 years. That is seniority. Bill was taught by the best! I know both Walter and Bill personally for many many years so I think Bill has the edge.

Walter only wants the seat until he can run for SOS in '19. I'm not a huge fan of candidates that use their position as a stepping stone. I voted for Longwitz a few months ago, but will vote for Bill this go-around.

Bill Billingsly has 'seniority' that was earned by his father in law who died years ago? What kinda shit is that? Bunky Huggins was a political hack who blew whichever way the wind took him. Everybody at the capital knows that.

@Anonymous at 7:30 PM, first of all I don't usually respond to anonymous cowards who hide behind their computer screens to make ugly comments about people who can't defend themselves, but I am making an exception in your case. As Bunky's daughter, I feel compelled to defend him, being as how he has been dead now for 10 years. My dad was one of the most popular legislators at the Capitol. He was known for being able to bring people together on both sides of an issue. He stood up for what he believed in often times creating enemies that always seemed to have someone run against him. While that was upsetting to me, he always told me that if you were doing the right things, you were going to have enemies. Maybe you were one of those that couldn't get him to do what you wanted him to.

By the way, he always told me that the only thing his seniority ever got him was a better parking place. Stephanie Billingsley

1:20, please provide a link for your ridiculous assertion. He didn't have any official position in the McDaniel campaign. He was a volunteer who helped them with the examination and then stood up for what was right when it was over. If you can prove otherwise then do it. Otherwise, stick a sock in it and quit trying to impugn the character of a good man.

Okay, 1:20. Nobody cares about Billingsley's character. The voter have simply told him twice that they would rather not have him represent them. Once by 70%, another by 50+%. Please go tend the horses now. They may actually like you.