Seven of the nine candidates running for the 3rd Congressional District seat discussed their platforms at a meet and greet Wednesday just in time for the March 11 Mississippi primary. The event, which was held Wednesday evening in the Colvard Student Union Ballroom and sponsored by the Mississippi State University Student Association, gave the candidates an opportunity to speak briefly on topics of their choice.
After informal introductions, refreshments were provided while candidates mingled with attendees and answered their questions.
Stuart Saulters, SA director of community and governmental relations, said he organized the event as a way for students to get to know the candidates in a comfortable setting.
“Students can be sometimes intimidated by politicians,” he said. “This gives them an opportunity to get to know these politicians.”
The Democratic candidates at the event included Randy Eads of Starkville and Joel Gill of Pickens. Republican candidates who attended were Gregory Hatcher of Meridian, David Landrum of Madison, Bill Marcy of Meridian, Charlie Ross of Brandon and John Rounsaville of Madison. Republicans Gregg Harper of Pearl and James Broadwater of Flowood were not able to attend.
Each candidate discussed his opinions on topics such as Social Security, illegal immigration and abortion.
Gill said he does not believe in a fast track to citizenship for illegal immigrants but does believe in the privatization of Social Security.
Eads, on the other hand, said he does not support the privatization of Social Security. He said he wants to bring a swift end to the war in Iraq and increase efforts to secure the border.
“The average citizen can no longer afford rising gas prices and continue to make ends meet,” he said. “Oil companies are making record profits, and the record price of gas is causing a hardship on the American economy.”
Landrum said he supports securing U.S. borders, protecting Mississippi values and providing families and small businesses alike with tax relief.
Marcy said he believes in national defense, does not support abortion and feels that illegal immigration must be stopped.
Ross said he is anti-illegal immigration, pro-business, believes in a strong national defense and does not support abortion.
“I have a 100 percent voting record in the state legislature on pro-life issues,” he said. “If you want to know what kind of congressman I’m going to be, you don’t have to listen to what I say. Look at what I’ve done because I’m not going to change.”
If elected, Rounsaville plans on increasing the amount of high-skill jobs in Mississippi and focusing on economic development.
“I want to make sure that we have opportunity for jobs,” he said. “If you leave the university with a good degree and grades you ought to have the opportunity to stay in Mississippi.