Sunday, July 7, 2019

Bill Crawford: 4 More Weeks!

Four weeks. Only four more weeks until Mississippi's August primaries.


It will be a super quick four weeks if you're a candidate. There's just never enough time to do everything you meant to do, they told you to do, or you ought to do.

It will be a long, arduous four weeks if you're already tired of political advertising. Every minute of every day, every nook and cranny of visual and aural media will be overstuffed with political advertising.

Now is when local candidates will crack open their often meagre political nest eggs to buy political ads. Competing with them will be state and regional candidates who couldn't afford much media until the last minute. Dominating will still be those statewide candidates who had, and have, tons of money to spend.

And don't forget the yard signs, rather, the much more prolific highway and street right-of-way "yard" signs.

If you haven't been paying attention, you will now have no choice.

Local campaigns have a lot to do with statewide campaign results. Most voters turn out to vote in their local races – sheriff, supervisor, school board member, district attorney, circuit clerk, chancery clerk, tax assessor, tax collector, county attorney, justice court judge, constable, coroner, state representative, and state senator.

Where these races are contested, turnout should be high. Where they aren't, turnout will depend on interest in state and regional races.

It is the aggregate of these local turnouts that will likely decide if there are runoffs in any state races.

Both the Republican and Democratic primaries for Governor could see runoffs. Bill Waller, Robert Foster and Tate Reeves are seeking the Republican nomination. Albert Wilson, Gregory Wash, Jim Hood, Michael Brown, Robert Ray, Robert Shuler Smith, and Velesha Williams are seeking the Democratic nomination.

The other statewide race with a potential runoff is the Republican primary for Attorney General. There Andy Taggart, Lynn Fitch, and Mark Baker are running.

There will be no runoffs in other top races like Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Commissioner of Insurance, and State Auditor since there are only one or two candidates in each race.

The only other non-local races where a runoff could happen are the Republican primaries for Northern District Transportation Commissioner where A. Hathcock, Geoffrey Yoste, Jeremy Martin, John Caldwell, and Trey Bowman are running and for Southern District Transportation Commissioner where Chad Toney, Tom King, and Tony Smith are running, and the Democratic primary for Central District Public Service Commissioner where Bruce Burton, De'Keither Stamps, Dorothy Benford, and Ryan Brown are running.

The great lack of potential statewide runoffs poses risks for the heavyweight favorites in the race for Governor. Should either Reeves or Hood, or both, end up in runoffs, turnout will be problematic.

Could that happen? Yes.

For example, if there are high Republican turnouts in Central Mississippi and DeSoto County and average turnouts elsewhere, governor candidates Waller and Foster might pull enough votes together to send Reeves into a runoff. If there are high Democratic turnouts in the Delta, Hinds County, and other heavily black counties, Smith, Williams, Brown, Albert, Wash, and Ray might pull enough votes together to send Hood into a runoff.

All these upcoming political ads will help you decide what happens.



Crawford is a syndicate columnist from Meridian.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ready for open primaries!

Anonymous said...

I'm ready for open primaries. This'll be my first vote as a Republican after 48 years of voting since age 18. I'll vote against Tate in the primary and if he wins it I'll vote against him again in November. It's time to change to for some positive things in Mississippi. What we're doing has not, is not and will not work any longer. Oh, and if you're advertising that you're a big Trump supporter I won't be voting for you either.

Anonymous said...

You've voted as a Democrat for 48 years and now you want us to take you seriously as some voice of reason and wisdom? ROFLMAO

Anonymous said...

3:57, that guy’s right. How have Tate Reeves and Phil Bryant improved Mississippi roads, rural hospitals and improved education during their tenure? Maybe the former GOP chairmen are correct. Let’s trying something other than Reeves or stay beaten down like we are. I’m sick of it and a lifetime Republican.

Anonymous said...

An ersatz lifetime Democrat and now a supposed lifetime Republican both against Tate Reeves. How coincidental. Oh, and now we are "beaten down". LOL

Anonymous said...

Sometimes I sit back and reflect on all those decades this state was under the thumb of democrats in the legislature and governor's office.

Somewhere 'out there' there's a democrat who can list a few positive things democrats did to lift up this state, but I've yet to find him.

I'd much sooner vote for a candidate who says he voted for Trump than a candidate who acknowledges his praise of Lyndon Johnson and Judge William Keady.

Both played a grand role in turning this state and country into a shit-hole.

Anonymous said...

"This'll be my first vote as a Republican after 48 years of voting since age 18. I'll vote against Tate in the primary and if he wins it I'll vote against him again in November."

Thank you for climbing out of the abyss and voting against Tate. Welcome to the pack. But, alas, you won't be voting in November. It'll be too chilly out, could even be a light rain, and you'll find other reasons to stay home and whine.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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