Debate at the Summit

Brookhaven Daily Journal - 3rd District candidates tackle variety of issues

The first to raise eyebrows in the room of approximately 150 interested voters was John Rounsaville. The Republican from Madison, while professing his desire to halt illegal immigration from Mexico, managed to point out how legal immigration from other countries could fill the district's need for primary health care physicians. "Healthcare is a prime issue, and there are no easy answers," Rounsaville said. "But, we have a lot of physicians coming from overseas to work in rural areas."

Gregg Harper, of Pearl, went in the opposite direction from the presidential candidates on the matter of health care. Rather than nationalizing the system or simply leaving it alone, Harper advocated less government control - while making it clear that he was a Republican. "If it resembles anything like Hillary-care, I don't want it," Harper said. "I'm opposed to anything that nationalizes one-seventh of our economy. I think we should loosen medical controls and increase competition in our medical community."

The most diverse answers of the debate came when moderator Sid Salter, perspective editor for the Clarion-Ledger, posed one question to all the candidates. He asked how they would bring industry to the "undiscovered country" of Southwest Mississippi?

Rounsaville said he hopes to see the forestry industry - already one of the largest in the state - attract new businesses, specifically by the development of wood-based alternative fuels.

Charlie Ross, a Republican from Brandon, advocated a regional approach to lure industries, with counties partnering up to form coalitions of local leadership to publicize their areas.

Among other topics, Ross explained the importance of tapping into domestic oil supplies and developing alternative fuels as an answer to constantly fluctuating fuel prices. "We need to develop alternative fuels for the long term," Ross said. "Everyone knows the petroleum supply is dwindling. Research into biofuels is an investment, not an expenditure."

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McComb Enterprise-Journal - Talking points: 3rd District Congressional hopefuls gather at SMCC for first debate

John Rounsaville touted his experience as an aide to U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering and Gov. Haley Barbour, and state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program.

Charlie Ross touted his experience in the Mississippi Legislature, telling an audience of more than 100 people at Southwest Mississippi Community College that if they wanted to know what kind of congressman he would be, “look at my record in the Legislature.”

Harper’s presence was marked by an abundance of campaign signs at the entrance to the college and outside the auditorium.

Landrum was represented by signs and supporters, but did not participate in the debate.

Jean H. Johnson of McComb said after the debate that she was impressed by the candidates. “I think the candidates were very informed on the topics for this area and very committed to the issues they believe in,” she said. She said she was particularly impressed with Broadwater, Gill and Rounsaville.

Harper, who has made immigration his primary issue, said the machinery is already in place to control immigration. “Let’s do something novel — let’s enforce our existing immigration laws before enacting new ones,” he said.

Ross said he opposes “earmarks” — targeting money in fiscal bills for special purposes or projects in a state or district — and called for reform. Ross criticized the practice, claiming it is a source of “pork” and said he said he would not support funding a project in the 3rd District “unless it is good for the rest of the country.” Ross added, however, that he would seek earmarks “because that’s what everyone else is doing.”