By Staff
POLITICS Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, seeking reelection, addresses a small crowd Saturday at the opening of the local GOP headquarters at the corner of Eighth Street and 22nd Avenue. Tuck faces Democratic nominee Barbara Blackmon in the Nov. 4 general election. PHOTO BY PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Sept. 7, 2003
The head of the Mississippi Republican Party said he believes this year's statewide election will offer a first: Democratic candidates who are "clearly liberal."
Herring and other Republican leaders, who were in Meridian for the opening of the GOP headquarters at the corner of Eighth Street and 22nd Avenue, said they believe the state's voters are aligning more with the conservative values of the Republican party.
Local and statewide candidates, along with about 50 supporters, gathered at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian for about an hour to kick off the opening of the headquarters.
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck headlined a group of statewide GOP candidates, which also included Central Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall; Tate Reeves, Republican nominee for state treasurer; Scott Newton, GOP nominee for attorney general; and State Auditor Phil Bryant.
Bryant, the only Republican statewide elected official in Mississippi a year ago before Tuck swapped parties, said he's glad to have the good company.
Bryant recalled a conversation he had with President George W. Bush a year ago during a visit in Madison.
Bryant said Mississippians have a chance to make history if they vote for the GOP candidates.
Herring said while Democrats will try and make the Nov. 4 general election a personal race between different personalities, he said voters will should see a clear difference between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats.