Election Coming Fast

Clarion Ledger Editorial - Voters in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District will go to the polls on March 11 to formally begin the process of choosing a successor to retiring U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Flora. Pickering announced last year that he was stepping down after six terms in office to devote more time to his wife and five children. But for Pickering, as for the voters, this election to select his successor must seem very familiar.

When the late U.S. Rep. G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery stepped down in 1996 after 30 years on Capitol Hill, Pickering was one of 10 candidates seeking to succeed him. The field was large and campaign appearances and debates were large and unwieldy. Pickering was young and there were several strong candidates in the race. Even the "also-ran" candidates Pickering faced were sincere and knowledgeable and each brought good ideas and good intentions to the table.

After a grueling first primary, Pickering withstood a Republican second primary challenge from Bill Crawford to win his first election and moved on to face Democrat John Arthur Eaves Jr. in the general election. Pickering won handily.

With the election now less than three weeks away, voters must begin to choose Pickering's successor from this field of nine candidates. The issues are unlikely to change in that time frame, but the debates have revealed that a great deal of voter confusion remains.

The congressional elections will be held March 11. Runoff elections, if necessary, will follow on April 1. Then begins the long march to the November general election, when Mississippians will help choose a new president, elect U.S. senators and at least two new congressmen.

The candidates are working hard. But without strong voter participation, these officials will be chosen by a majority of a minority of Mississippi voters - which makes voter dissatisfaction a self-fulfilling prophecy. Vote!