Republican hopefuls qualify for Mississippi House races

The Clarion Ledger ^ | January 10, 2004 | Andy Kanengiser

[afuturegovernor]

Four Republicans, including state Rep. Mike Lott of Petal, qualified Friday to run for Democratic 4th District U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor's seat in Congress.

Lott, whose state House District 104 spans portions of Forrest and Lamar counties, has served four years. He's president of the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition and a small business owner.

[afuturegovernor]

Mississippi House Races Ping

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[WKB]

Missippy ping

[Theodore R.]

Is House candidate Lott related to Senator Lott?

[Theodore R.]

Won't it be hard to call Taylor a "tax-and-spend liberal" when he is far to the right of, say, Senators Specter, Chafee, Snowe, Warner, and others?

[dixiechick2000]

There are Reform Party candidates on the ballot?
I thought that party was over.

[Truthsayer20]

"Won't it be hard to call Taylor a "tax-and-spend liberal" when he is far to the right of, say, Senators Specter, Chafee, Snowe, Warner, and others?"

Taylor's ACU ratings have dropped from 64 in 2001 to 48 in 2002. He still has a lifetime rating of 70, though. A quick look at this voting record also showed that he has a solidly liberal record when it comes to fiscal questions.

[Theodore R.]

I thought that Taylor was in the 90-percent conservative range: thanks for clarifying that. He is still more conservative than the popular "Scotsman" Specter, isn't he?

[Truthsayer20]

Specter got a better rating (50 vs. 48) from the ACU in 2002.

[afuturegovernor]

Mike Lott and Trent Lott aren't related. Mike is actually my state representative. Its going to be a tough fight but I wish him the very best.

[Theodore R.]

So, the Lotts are NOT related. And I suppose this Mertz is unrelated to the fictitious Fred Mertz as well! Yea, it will be hard to unseat Taylor, because most in MS believe that Taylor is to the right of any Republican now serving.

[afuturegovernor]

Mertz ran against Taylor in 2002 and got about 20% of the vote. I'm sure that Lott will get the GOP nomination because he's really the only serious candidate. Maybe he can at least give Taylor a run for his money and maybe waste some Democrat dollars.

[SuziQ]

Four Republicans, including state Rep. Mike Lott of Petal,

My cousin and her hubby live in Petal. I'll have to ask her about Mike Lott.