AP on 3rd

Associated Press - Republicans seeking 3rd District seat look to seperate themselves - When it comes to the issues, Republican congressional candidates in the race for Mississippi's 3rd District are a homogenous group. They all want to reduce taxes, protect the nation's borders and promote family values - good topics aimed at a conservative, heavily Republican district that stretches from Oktibbeha County in the north to Adams and Wilkinson counties in the southwest. The deciding factor in the GOP race will be personality, said political scientist Marty Wiseman, director of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University.

Each of the top four GOP candidates has his own niche of voters, the political scientist said. Landrum, who owns a financial services firm, focuses on his business acumen, said Wiseman. He said Ross - an attorney, Harvard Law School graduate, Air Force pilot and former legislator - already has his base in place. Ross ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2007.

Wiseman said Rounsaville, a former Pickering aide, is the only graduate of Mississippi State University, the alma mater of the late U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis. He said Harper started working years ago to build the Republican Party in Rankin County.

Ross has picked up numerous endorsements from conservative groups, including Jim Gilchrist, founder of the National Minuteman Project. Ross said what separates him from other candidates is his record of performance as a lawmaker.

Of the leading GOP candidates with Web sites, only Rounsaville lists health care among his chief issues.

Rounsaville said on his site that the answer to the nation's health care problem is "giving more control to the individual consumer, which will drive down costs." He also said the people should be able to retain their health care plans when they switch jobs.