Mississippians will go to the polls tomorrow to vote in this year's historic party primary elections. As MPB's Desare Frazier reports, party chairs are hoping for a good turnout.
All four Congressional House seats and the two Senate seats are up for re-election this year. The most hotly contested and watched race is for the 3rd Congressional District. Republican Representative Greg Harper is not running for re-election after 10 years in office. There are six Republican candidates seeking their party's nomination. They support low taxes, smaller government and reducing Medicaid rolls. State Republican Party Chair Lucien Smith is confident they will retain the seat.
"Whomever the Republican primary voters chose tomorrow we're going to have a good solid candidate going into November that Mississippians are going to vote for and send to Washington," said Smith.
Mississippi Republicans dominate seats in state office and in Congress. Mississippi Democratic Party Chair Bobby Moak says they've been rebuilding their ranks over the past 18 months.
"Eighteen months ago, who would've thought that Democrats would be offering viable candidates in every federal election that is about to come up on Tuesday," said Moak.
Moaks says Democrats want a federal infrastructure bill to help the state, better healthcare and no tariffs that could hurt Mississippi farmers. He's especially excited about the two candidates running for the 3rd Congressional District seat.
"That's the second most Democrat leaning district in the state. It tends to be overlooked," said Moak.
In U.S. Senate races, Republican Senator Roger Wicker has one opponent in his bid for re-election. Six Democrats are vying for Wicker's seat. Both party chairs are hoping for a good turnout, Lucien Smith says voting honors our military men and women.
"Go to the polls and let your preference be known. That's one of the great freedoms we have as Americans," said Smith.
Polls are open from 7 am to 7 p.m.
