Commercial Dispatch Feature on Eads

Commercial Dispatch - Eads pledges Democratic policies for the 3rd Congressional District - Calling on Democratic party cornerstones like standing up for working people rather than big business, Randy Eads, a Starkville Democrat seeking the Democratic nomination for Mississippi's 3rd Congressional House District, wants to make health care affordable, get the troops out of Iraq and put education as a top priority. “A person cannot be, pro-business without being pro-employee. And what I mean by that is if we force corporations - or suggest to corporations - to pay better wages and offer better benefits, I believe those corporations deserve some sort of tax break,” said Eads Friday. “But if we have corporations that are moving jobs overseas, so that they can get cheaper labor, to turn right back around and sell their products right here in the United States, I don't believe those corporations deserve any sort of benefit.” At 30-years-old, this is Eads' first stab at elected office. He's a native of Virginia, has a background in business and finance, and a degree from the Virginia Military Institute as well as a recent law degree from Mississippi College. (Eads is currently preparing to take the Mississippi Bar exam at the end of the month.) Eads will face fellow Democrat Joel Gill, 56, of Pickens. “Americans and Mississippians alike, we have to take our government back. We've allowed a Republican Congress and the Bush Administration to highjack our economy and what we stand for,” he said. “And it's time that someone stand up for the hardworking American and Mississippi. And I don't believe the Republican party is doing that.” When it comes to the Iraq War, Eads supports working with military leaders to explore “what solution can the Congress give you to make this a successful outcome.” But he adds, “we have to get our troops out as quickly as possible.” If a Democrat were in the White House right now, said Eads, and that president would have proposed taking the $500 billion already spent on the war in Iraq, and invested this money into education, job training, and infrastructure, “the Republicans in Congress would have had an uproar.” “But they haven't said one thing about spending $500 billion in Iraq that has done nothing for us,” remarked Eads. Eads wants to see Congress work more closely with school administrators and the National Education Association to improve education. In a richly conservative district like the 3rd District, it's unclear how voters will flock to Eads' populist and some might say - liberal - ideas. But he believes his campaign will strike a chord with the voters. For President, Eads said he's supporting Sen. Barack Obama . He sees Obama as the candidate to unite the country. “I think he can do the most positive change for the American people,” said Eads. “But, I think Senator Clinton would be a great choice too.”