Published: March 23, 2008 12:31 am      

Hitting the campaign trail: Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross

The many Republican candidates in the race for the U.S. House 3rd Congressional District seat campaigned hard in the months leading up to the March 11 primary, each of them spending lots of time, money, energy, and resources.

They were fighting for the seat that has been held by well-known Mississippians Chip Pickering, Jr., who will retire from the House at the end of term, and G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, one of the state's most appreciated political figures.

For most of the candidates, that part is over. They lost the primary, and can now turn their attention elsewhere.

But for Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross, the most grueling part is just under way. As the top two vote-getters in a primary that had so many candidates, no one was likely to obtain the required 51 percent of the vote needed to win the nomination. Harper and Ross are now engaged in a short, but intense, run-off campaign. Each candidate has until April 1, the date of the run-off election, to convince voters that he is the better choice for U.S. congress, and neither one seems to be wasting a second of time in which he could be picking up another vote. The winner will face Joe Gill, the Democratic candidate for the 3rd District Congressional seat.

Harper, an attorney, is particularly proud of his grassroots ground campaign in which friends, family, and other volunteers have been going door-to-door with him all around the district.

"Sidney has worked harder than I have," he said of his wife's door-to-door campaigning. His daughter, Maggie, and his son, Livingston, also have participated in the door-to-door effort, and Livingston, who suffers from a developmental disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome appeared in a T.V. ad with his father.

"Livingston has enjoyed the celebrity status," Harper said.

Harper feels confident about his campaign, saying, "We do believe that many of the supporters of other candidates have gotten on board with us financially and by volunteering. The momentum has been building since March 11. We're raising sufficient funds to be able to do more than we were able to do in the primary, and we have one of the best volunteer grassroots campaigns that I've ever seen. And you don't create that in three weeks."

Harper has been canvassing the entire district, but has not forgotten about Lauderdale County. In a recent rally at Union Station, he said that the race "is going to be won or lost in Lauderdale County," and that residents are, "going to think we live in Meridian by April 1."

Ross hasn't forgotten about Lauderdale County either, appearing shortly after the primary to announce endorsements by former opponents Bill Marcy and Greg Hatcher, both Meridian residents. Also present at that event was Gil Carmichael, a long-time Republican leader in Mississippi. He appeared in Meridian again shortly afterwards to open a new office here, saying "I will be your congressman, I will maintain an office in Meridian."

The comment prompted Harper to mention at his event that "I was the first candidate to open up an office in Meridian."

Both Harper and Ross have attracted sizable crowds at their events.

Ross, a veteran and a state senator, has put a strong emphasis on military in his Lauderdale County campaigning, promising over and over again, "I will keep a flying mission at the Air National Guard in Meridian," and repeatedly referring to his veteran status.

Ross also has pointed extensively to his experience in the state senate as a qualifying factor in his bid for the congressional seat.

Harper has said that he will fight to protect Lauderdale County's military facilities. Both candidates also often speak of faith and family — the cornerstone of many Republican campaigns.







"MEET THE CANDIDATES"



Want to meet the candidates of the Third Congressional District – Democrat Joel Gill and Republicans Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper — and hear what they have to say about the issues? The Young Professionals of Meridian will host "Meet the Candidates" on Tuesday beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 109 U.S. Highway 11 & 80. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Each candidate will speak and answer questions; they will also mingle with the crowd. The event will last until about 7 p.m.

For more information, e-mail ypmeridian@gmail.com, or call (601) 938-0087.