John Rounsaville

Meridian Star: Former Pickering aide Rounsaville announces District 3 candidacy: "Rounsaville, who began his career as an aide to Pickering and recently resigned his post as USDA Rural Development State Director, is running on a wholly conservative platform; 2nd amendment protection, immigration control, and pro-life concerns are just some of his top issues as congressional candidate. Like most Mississippi politicians, Rounsaville promises to work for new jobs, but says that he will be able to fulfill his promise through a focus on workforce training. 'I worked on workforce training reform with Gov. Barbour,' he said, '...and I know about the federal resources available.' Rounsaville, who places a strong emphasis on 'protecting our 2nd amendment rights,' says he does so because, '(The 2nd amendment) is always vulnerable, especially with Democrats in the ajority,' and 'It is highly valuable to (Mississippi sportsmen).' He is also for providing border control workers with any technologies that might help them with their jobs and for 'increased technologies that are going to result in alternative fuel sources.' Experience, he says, is his biggest asset, and he hopes, if elected, 'to build the kind of tenure and seniority (that is) everything for a small state like MIssissippi'."

WTOK: Former Pickering Aide to Announce Candidacy

Madison County Journal: In run for Congress, Madison's Rounsaville touts experience

Starkville Daily News: MSU alum throws hat into congressional race: "A former advisor to outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-3rd District, and Gov. Haley Barbour on Wednesday touted his experience as a separating factor in the race to succeed Pickering. Rounsaville, a Madison Republican and a Mississippi State University graduate, stopped at the Oktibbeha County Courthouse as part of the first of an initial three-day tour to introduce himself as a candidate. 'I think this town (Starkville) is about to explode. We’ve just got to be patient. We’re going eventually to see development on the west side of the Golden Triangle,' he said. 'It’s important that Mississippi’s (Third) Congressional District has a representative that can hit the ground running when they get to Congress and not have to rely on staff to guide Mississippi’s priorities through the legislative process and through the federal bureaucracies. I have that experience and I know that I can put it to use to make sure that Mississippians have the influence they deserve in Congress,' Rounsaville said. He says he will work for an energy independent and secure Mississippi and nation, working to expand alternative energy by supporting MSU’s research efforts and the potential for agricultural and forestry communities to improve the availability and efficiency of alternative fuel sources."

The Reflector: Alumnus to run for seat in Congress: "Rounsaville said he believes he has much to offer the many areas of Mississippi and MSU, which is included in the 3rd Congressional District. 'I will be a staunch supporter of MSU and will support more federal research dollars to promote economic opportunities for the Golden Triangle [and MSU],' he said. If Rounsaville wins the seat, he would be the second congressman from MSU to hold the position since Sonny Montgomery, who served in the position from 1967 to 1996. 'MSU needs and deserves a seat at the table when decisions are being made because we are the state's largest university and provide a wealth of expertise,' Rounsaville said. Rounsaville has served alongside with U.S. Rep. Pickering and as deputy chief of staff and legislative director and also as Gov. Barbour's policy advisor."

Clarion Ledger: Rounsaville to run for 3rd Congressional District seat

WLBT: Rounsaville to Run for Pickering's Vacated Seat

Brookhaven Daily Leader: Rounsaville touts experience in bid to succeed Pickering

The Neshoba Democrat: Rounsaville, touting experience, running for congressional seat: "He most recently served as state director of the USDA Rural Development Agency. Prior to that he served as an advisor to U.S. Rep. Charles W. "Chip" Pickering. Jr., the man he is seeking to replace, and was a policy advisor to Gov. Haley R. Barbour. Rounsaville says that he plans to carry on the legacy of Pickering and the previous occupant, G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, particularly their strong military support for bases in Mississippi like the Naval Air Station at Meridian. Ronald Reagan is one of Rounsaville's political role models. His time in politics, including his five years in Pickering's office and as policy advisor to Barbour, is what will distinguish his candidacy, Rounsaville believes. 'I feel like having covered so many different policy areas, I'm the candidate that has something to offer everybody, whether it's agriculture and forestry issues, or economic development issues in small or larger areas,' Rounsaville said. At Rural Development, Rousaville managed a staff of 200 employees and a budget of nearly $220 million. As Gov. Barbour's policy advisor, he helped develop and pass workforce training reforms. He led an effort to rebuilt and expand water and wastewater infrastructure through South Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Rounsaville oversaw all legislative efforts and appropriations projects for the Third District as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Pickering. 'For a small state like Mississippi with only four elected members of the House, we need that type of experience in Washington. We need somebody that can hit the ground running from day one. Someone who is not going to have to depend on a staff to get him through his first term,' he said. While he appreciates those immigrants who are legal and living the American dream, he noted that something had to be done with those who enter the country illegally and break the laws. 'The first thing we need to do is secure the border, stopping the bleeding,' he said. 'Second, we've got to provide a better verification system for employers so that in a relatively short period of time, they can check the status of a Social Security number or name and have a quick turn around on if a person is legal or not.' Rounsville said illegal immigration is a problem that has occurred over a 20-year period that wouldn't be solved overnight. 'It is something we have got to quit ignoring. We have ignored it too long,' he said."