With less than a week until Mississippians head to the polls, candidates running for the U-S Senate are making a final push to attract voters. Both
At the Mississippi Economic Council's annual Hobnob event in Jackson yesterday, several hundred business leaders, along with state lawmakers, heard from the top two candidates running for Mississippi's open Senate seat. Incumbent, Republican Senator Thad Cochran used his time to highlight his conservative agenda.
"I've been honored with the endorsement of groups who share the values of freedom, economic opportunity and traditional values," says Chochran. "Our state can be an important influence when we vote to elect a Republican majority in the United States Senate."
Cochran’s also played up his role on the appropriations committee. However, his role on that committee remains unclear.
"I will be in line along with others to serve as chairman of a committee," Cochran says. "At this time it may be that committee will be the Senate Appropriations Committee. We're not yet organized along those lines yet, but that will help ensure my service on the Appropriations Committee that our wishes and our requests will be carefully considered."
Democratic candidate, Travis Childers on-the-other-hand, told voters he would work to ensure bipartisanship in the Senate, but added that he will not support the Senate’s current leadership.
"I've already said I'm not voting for Harry Reid, and I'm not voting for Mitch McConnell because I don't owe either of them anything," says Childers. "I will vote for someone who shares my values and shares your values here in the state of Mississippi."
Childers also told reporters after his speech that among his top priorities is passing an equal pay bill.
"We believe the Equal Pay Bill that Senator Cochran voted against twice this year, we think that's wrong," Childers says. "We think women should make the same amount as men when they do the same job. I proudly supported that when I was in the United States House of Representatives. I will proudly support it if elected to the United States Senate."
According to recent polls, Cochran holds a commanding lead over Childers. Election sites will open next Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
