I have voted for Delbert Hosemann and Tate Reeves in one or more of their past elections. In fact, I can say for sure that I have voted for Hosemann every time he has been elected to statewide office. Yes, at various times I have looked at the field of candidates and decided I agreed more with both of these candidates more than those running for the same elected position in Mississippi and have voted for them both. In addition, I can say Hosemann, in particular, is a nice person and has a pleasant manner, when meeting him in person. However, in 2019 with Hosemann running for Lt. Governor and Reeves running for Governor, I do not plan to vote for either and feel very good about my decision.
First and foremost, let me say that political party does not really factor into my decision on either candidate. From the time I was old enough to remember, growing up in the hill country of northeast Mississippi, I was taught to always “vote for the person, not for the party.” As time has gone by this has proven more and more wise and true of a statement. I do not consider myself a “liberal,” and have traditionally thought of myself as a “conservative” politically. I am pro-life. I own guns myself and believe the 2nd Amendment gives us the right to bear arms as individuals. I believe in marriage that is according to the New Testament definition of a bond between one man and one woman. But, these things do not make me a Republican. These things are part of my identity as a Christian and a person of free-will able to make my own decisions. Therefore, finding candidates, who really believe in these same things is important to me and factors into my decision to support them. I am also for rural public hospitals. I am for the Tennessee Valley power which lights up my home. I am for public schools as the surest means for individuals to move upward economically and socially. I am for a balanced budget. I am also for telling the truth. I believe in saying what you mean and meaning what you say. I believe in conducting yourself with some measure of honor. All of these things also come into play as I am making my decisions about candidates, and the weighing of these various beliefs in the balance sometimes finds me voting for individuals who have a (D), (R), or (I) after their name on a ballot.
For instance, in my home county, almost all current elected officeholders for county office had a (D) after their name the last time I voted for their office in 2015. Now, in 2019, they will all run for office as Republicans. To my knowledge none of these individuals have changed one bit in their beliefs economically, socially, or otherwise. But, they all collectively are running in the same party primary this time as they did last election. During those four years, the party platform has changed little on either side and has not moved significantly to the right or left. I say this only to demonstrate that the only thing that has to change for a candidate to be Republican, Democrat, or Independent is simply what papers they fill out and whom they turn those papers into when qualifying for office. Such decisions are more times than not made on a variety of factors, mainly affecting whether or not those individuals think it benefits them politically. If I were some sort of party voter, I suppose I would have to think that these individuals were either magically “morally right” in the last election or magically “sanctified” now as their (R) or (D) changed, in spite of nothing changing in their professed beliefs. As a general rule, I don’t believe in such and will stick on voting for individuals. This too is why I have no qualms or reservation in voting for both Hosemann and Reeves in the past, with their (R)’s, and easily changing my vote to one of their political competitors now who happen to both have (D)’s beside their names. I refuse to be a slave to consonants in parenthesis when choosing my leaders.
Why the switch? Well, in regards to Reeves, I daresay there have been few politicians lacking in personal charisma and seeming as political tone-deaf in regards to issues that are most important to everyday Mississippians as Tate Reeves. Not that charisma defines my vote (as evidence I supported Ted Cruz in the Republican Presidential Primary last election). But, on each and every turn during his time as Lt. Governor, which is a position which more or less runs the show in our state’s Senate, Reeves has been a vocal opponent of public education. Now folks, I work in education and my family has traditionally worked in public education. However, I am not some “more money, more money” public education person. I believe strongly in real accountability and spending money wisely in public education. But, it is a fact that without strong public schools our country as a whole would suffer. It is also an undisputed fact that without strong public schools, only those with enough disposable money available to send their child to a private school would have any real shot at the education and training needed to fulfill their full potential. Public schools are literally the “lifeline” of individuals whose only disadvantage from achieving their full potential is who their parents happen to be or have been. Now Reeves gives “lip-service” to public schools, as most politicians do, but his heart and his passion are with private school groups, such as Empower Mississippi (a $45,000 donor to him and running ads as you read this on his behalf). He has opposed not only funding public education, but has consistently supported expanding tax money being used to pay private school tuition. Reeves has often done these actions in the most condescending and (as evidenced in this last session) often the most underhanded of ways. This was most recently evidenced by Reeves and Speaker of the House Gunn inserting private school voucher funding into a totally unrelated bill this session and then giving the House less than 20 minutes to vote for or against it. I will let another Republican House Representative sum it up in his own words, “Today was a low point in my time here at the Capitol,” he wrote. “In an underhanded move, the lieutenant governor snuck in last minute language to increase funding for the ESA voucher program. This is (not) how business should be conducted … I would not have voted for this bill knowing that this language was in it. In an effort to be as transparent as possible, I want to admit this mistake.” (Jackson Free Press: GOP Leaders Trick House Into Sending $2 Million to Private Schools).
Then, that leaves my lack of support for current Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann in his run for Lt. Governor. This decision is not because I am motivated to vote AGAINST Delbert as Lieutenant Governor. Instead, I am just so motivated to vote FOR Jay Hughes, who is definitely going to get my vote and support for Lieutenant Governor this year.
Unlike the Vice-President compared to the office of President, Mississippi’s Senate rules vest a lot of real power in the office of Lt. Governor. The office essentially controls the flow of the Senate and very little moves through the chamber without the Lt. Governor’s approval. Unfortunately, during the most recent sessions, this has resulted in very little positive in regards to public education originating from that chamber and many good bills dying there. The Senate has seemed little concerned for the average Mississippian under current leadership, but very concerned with moving through legislation that favors large corporations. In my opinion, it is time for a little balance and a change in this office that wields so much power in our state. Luckily, the office will change hands this time with the current officeholder seeking a different state office. The only question being, who will take it over as our next Lieutenant Governor?
While Delbert might or might not do a fine job, I cannot really be sure. Odds are to some extent he will be beholden to many of the same players who have been running things there under current leadership, as they seem to be supporting him. Without noticeable exception, almost every major establishment player, who is supporting Reeves, seems to be backing Hosemann.
While I like Hosemann as a person (he and his family have been especially involved in supporting causes related to autism, which my son has), he was conspicuously quiet in regards to any of the recent underhanded shenanigans by Reeves and his fellow leaders in the Legislature. One would have to think, with such significant events going on that a candidate for one of the top jobs in the state’s government would speak out against such behavior, or at least if such a candidate was against the behavior. Yes, I am afraid that Hosemann’s quietness does not make him look like the kind of candidate I can really get behind. It begs the question, “If Hosemann will not speak out against such behavior by Reeves and the leadership as a candidate, why on Earth would I believe he would be willing to speak out once elected?” These events made Hosemann look at best complacent in regards to the unethical shenanigans and at worst supportive. His silence, unfortunately, has us having to draw our own conclusions.
However, there is one person who I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt has demonstrated his firm commitment to education at each and every turn during his time in office, and that person is current Representative Jay Hughes. He has consistently shown his willingness to stand his ground and support the everyday Mississippian, as his “special interest” of choice. Jay has worked tirelessly for education at all turns and has even served as a substitute teacher during his time not in session. Yet, this is nothing new, as Jay has made public education a personal priority long before being elected to the legislature. He has worked to keep the people informed about the operation of state government, a very refreshing breath of fresh air in that regard, and once deciding to pursue statewide office, he has spent his own money and time visiting all areas of the state from college football games to Christmas parades to get to know the issues of the various regions and understand the people residing there. My support for Jay has nothing really to do with my lack of full confidence in Hosemann, but has everything to do with who he has consistently shown himself to be as both a person and as a public servant.
Yes, Rep. Hughes, matches up with most all of my values. He is a veteran, pro-life, a gun owner, a husband, and a father. He is also the best person to truly serve the public of Mississippi as our next Lieutenant Governor. He is also the only candidate for this office that has demonstrated the courage to speak out, when in disagreement with the leadership. Speaking for myself as a voter who is ready to “turn the page” on the Reeves Era, Hughes is in my opinion the surest and best way to accomplish this goal.
Due to the long-length of this blog post, I will wrap things up and continue on my next posting, regarding who I will be choosing to vote for in place of Reeves for the office of Mississippi Governor. (I will give you one hint; his initials are J.H.) However, I hope you will thoughtfully consider what I have written. If it differs from your own opinion and you doubt some of the reasoning, I encourage you to ask a person in your circle of friends or family involved in public education privately their feelings about our current Mississippi leadership. In my opinion, its time to elect some folks who reflect “Mississippi values,” instead of the latest talking points from their out-of-state donors. I’m sick and tired of the same old same old. Let’s work together to turn the page.
– Clint Stroupe
The Thinking Conservative Blog 