PHILADELPHIA - Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves Jr. tried Thursday to boost his campaign against the highly favored incumbent, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, with a fiery speech complete with confetti and a musical introduction.

 

At times, Eaves argued with segments of a largely pro-Barbour crowd under and around the Founders' Square Pavilion at the Neshoba County Fair political speakings.

 

"I'm sick and tired of Mississippi always being last in jobs, healthcare, poverty and education and then hear our leaders say what do you expect?'" said Eaves, a Jackson attorney who is financing his own campaign. "Well, I expect a whole lot more, and I believe Mississippians deserve much, much better.

 

"And so I am running for governor to declare that this era of low expectations is over and a new day is dawning in Mississippi."

 

Barbour focused his speech on his first term in office and, while admitting "every problem has not been solved," he said, "I'm proud of this record. It's a record of promises made and promises kept. It is a record I am glad to run on."

Of Eaves, he said, "You know what it means when a campaign message is nothing but negative attacks on his opponent - no substance or solutions. It means that the candidate has nothing to offer."

 

At one point, Eaves got into a shouting contest with some of the Barbour supporters who tried to interrupt him mid-speech.

 

Eaves told the crowd he sat on the historic stage 31 years ago when his father ran unsuccessfully for governor.

"My dad has always been a dreamer, and I am my father's son," he said.

 

Eaves added, "I dream of a Mississippi where our parents are not kicked off Medicaid, where our children do not go uninsured and where big tobacco, big insurance and other powerful interests no longer decide our healthcare policy."

While the governor's race provided the most fireworks, there were other speakers Thursday, which was the second and final day of the political speakings at the storied fair, considered Mississippi's premier political event.

 

Secretary of state

 

In the race for the open seat of secretary of state, all the candidates promised to manage 16th section school land in a way to ensure that it provides additional revenue for local school districts.

 

John Windsor of Corinth, a 29-year-old former teacher and assistant attorney general, said despite his youth he has more experience than other candidates for secretary of state because he has been an election poll worker for 10 years.

 

Referring to his age, he quipped, "As long as my opponents are in good health, can do things for themselves, and can get around on their own, I see no reason for their advancing years to be an issue in this race."

 

State Sen. Rob Smith of Richland, Windsor's Democratic opponent, said his legislative experience would be a plus in the secretary of state's office. He said he had been a key vote for such issues as the Education Reform Act and the 1987 Four-Lane Highway bill. Without such efforts, he said Northeast Mississippi would have never gotten Toyota, which announced in February it will build its new North American manufacturing plant near Blue Springs.

 

As secretary of state, he said, he would hire a person to investigate allegations of election fraud.

 

On the Republican side, former Columbus Mayor Jeffrey Rupp said he is the only candidate for secretary of state with experience in the executive branch of government.

 

He said he would name a task force to develop the best management practices for 16th section school land. He also said he has been working with Barbour even before he was elected governor.

 

Jackson attorney Delbert Hosemann said he would propose a new court to hear lawsuits involving businesses to free up the circuit court system for criminal trials. He also said he would work to implement a fair voter identification process that provides ID options for voters because "my 83-year-old mother might lose her right to drive, but she should not lose her right to vote."

 

State Rep. Mike Lott, R-Petal, said as chair of the House Conservative Coalition when Barbour was elected governor, he had a history of working with the governor and could continue that as secretary of state. He said he was stressing the need to address illegal immigration three years ago - long before any other politician.

Insurance commissioner

Both Republican Sen. Mike Chaney of Vicksburg and Democrat Gary Anderson of Jackson, who are running for insurance commissioner, said they would hold insurance companies more accountable than current commissioner George Dale, a Democrat.

 

"I am running for insurance commissioner to bring about a fair deal for Mississippi rate payers," said Anderson, a Marshall County native and former state fiscal officer. "It is just plain wrong to take money from an industry you regulate."

 

Dale, who has received campaign donations from the insurance industry, said, "Some have said that I am too cozy with the industry I regulate. Those who make these charges have never offered one fact where I have not held the industry accountable to the laws of Mississippi."

 

Dale said he has worked to hold rates down by such things as helping local communities acquire fire trucks.

 

Chaney said he would ask the Legislature to consider making the position of insurance commissioner appointed instead of elected, if he wins. He said most states have an appointed insurance commissioner and, in most instances, they have lower rates.

 

The party primary elections will be Aug. 7. The general election will be in November.

 

Contact Daily Journal Jackson Bureau reporter Bobby Harrison at (601) 353-3119 or bobby.harrison@djournal.com.

 

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