Posted on 08/18/2003 7:14:44 AM PDT by WKB
Republicans return to the polls for an Aug. 26 runoff to determine which of the men — both of them former Democrats — will be the GOP nominee.
The winner will face two-term Democratic incumbent Lester Spell in the Nov. 4 general election.
Mississippi's commissioner of agriculture and commerce oversees a state agency with a wide range of responsibilities — inspecting the accuracy of gasoline pumps, overseeing the State Fairgrounds and inspecting everything from eggs to seeds to syrup labels.
"This is a long-range plan that I set," said Crowder, 56, of Louisville, who ran for agriculture commissioner as a Democrat in 1995 and 1999.
"My first effort was to get my name out there," Crowder said. "The second effort was to expand on my name. My all-out effort now is to win, recognizing that name identity is a key factor."
Crowder, known for handing out roasted peanuts with his name on the bags, is a former Winston County extension agent — the first African-American to hold that job. He later became an Extension Service marketing specialist, working with county agents around Mississippi.
Phillips, 56, of Taylorsville, is a farmer and retired agriculture teacher and banker. He ran as a Democrat in 1991 against longtime incumbent Jim Buck Ross and in 1995, when Ross didn't seek re-election and the seat was open.
After Phillips was eliminated in the 1995 Democratic primary, he endorsed the Republican nominee, farmer Charles Hull. Like Crowder, Phillips said hopes the previous runs for office will make his name familiar to voters.
"The people are finally learning who I am and realizing I have some experience and some ideas that are good for the office," Phillips said.
Spell, a veterinarian and former Richland mayor, won in 1995 and 1999 and was unopposed in the Democratic primary this year.
Certified results from the Aug. 5 Republican primary show Crowder had 63,044 votes, or 41.5 percent, to Phillips' 37,610 votes, or 24.7 percent. The remaining votes were split between Kyle Magee of Mize and Fred T. Smith of Aberdeen.
Campaign finance reports show that through July 26, Crowder had raised $35,993 and spent $18,608. Phillips had collected $9,853 and spent $9,587 — and he was his only contributor.
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