We were happy to have Mr. Bill Renick, candidate for Governor, make the long drive down from the north to address us, and his remarks were well-received. Mr. Renick cited his deep roots in Mississippi and a long record of public service, from city to statewide government, as his primary qualifications, but he clearly impressed those present with his commitment to the citizens of the state and his desire to commit state resources to those citizens most in need.

Two candidates for the State Legislature also spoke with us. Mr. Ed Hatem, candidate for House District 120 (Gulfport, Long Beach/Pass Christian) spoke of his commitment to working families in Mississippi and the need to challenge the policies and practices of Governor Barbour and his allies in the Legislature. Mr. Hatem is a lifetime resident of the District he wants to serve in Jackson, and has long experience working with the Legislature because of his work in lobbying and campaigning for employees of the state.

Mr. Jim Wilson, of Ocean Springs, a candidate for Senate District 52, also spoke. An attorney with a long history of practice in law concerning the elderly as well as those facing bankruptcy, Mr. Wilson spoke of the need to assure that our elders have the health supports they need, and working families the health support they need, to avoid the hard decisions of "medicine or food," or filing bankruptcy in the face of bills due to catastrophic illness.

Renick, Hatem, and Wilson all emphasized the critical importance of moving past "adequate education" and onto the best education available, and all hoped to see a change in taxation that would make the most basic commodity -- food -- less expensive for the citizens of Mississippi.

Also speaking were two candidates for county office.Mr. Cono Caranna, candidate for reelection to the office of District Attorney for Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties, spoke only briefly, but then his nearly 30 years of service speaks volumes.

Mr. Sean Tindall, candidate for County Prosecutor in Harrison County, also spoke. Mr. Tindall made a good case for his qualifications as prosecutor, citing his current position as assistant prosecutor for Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties and showing a mature awareness of the importance of the County Prosecutor in assuring justice for the citizens of Harrison County by, as the poets say, tempering justice with mercy. Mr. Tindall gave convincing testimony that he could provide the sort of oversight the county surely needs in light of recent disclosures concerning our county jail.

Wendi Hooks, Finance Director for the Democratic Party in Mississippi, spoke briefly about fundraising efforts and plans for supporting Democratic candidates across the state in 2007 and beyond. For information about any of that, drop us a line at this website or contact any member of the County Executive Committee.

The meeting began with a fine invocation by Curly Clark, member of the Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee and President of the NAACP in Moss Point and Jackson County, and the meeting was closed with a prayer from James O'Keefe, a candidate for US Senate in 2006.

Harry Ferguson, HCDEC Chair