A candidate for secretary of state made a campaign swing through Meridian on Monday.

 

Republican Delbert Hosemann says the state Democratic Party is already preparing to seek post-election relief from the August primary.

 

A federal judge granted the Democrats' request for party registration, effective next year. But he said the party might try to invalidate the 2007 primary.

 

"So effectively, what they're saying, if the election doesn't turn out on Aug. 7 like they want it, then they're going to call for another election," said Hosemann. "And the cost to the Mississippi taxpayers is over half a million dollars for each of those elections. So it's very important that the Aug. 7 election be valid and binding."

 

Hosemann said he believes Mississippi should have an all-inclusive Constitutional voter identification process that would include people who do not have a driver's license, such as some elderly and disabled residents.

 

Hosemann also said, if he's elected, he'll publish a statewide list of 16th section land leases within 90 days of taking office. He said the public should be aware how much money those leases are bringing in to local school districts.

 

Hosemann will be in the Republican primary Aug. 7, along with three other GOP candidates: Gene Sills, Mike Lott, and Jeffrey Rupp.

 

Three Democrats are seeking the office, Jabari Toins, John Windsor, and Rob Smith.

 

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