Mississippi College School of Law Debate Attracts Seven Gubernatorial Candidates

Seven Mississippi gubernatorial candidates squared off on immigration reform, the state’s image, healthcare, education and other topics at a televised debate at the Mississippi College School of Law.

Televised statewide by WLBT-TV 3 in Jackson, the two-hour event gave voters plenty of talking points to consider before heading to the polls for party primaries August 2.

Two Democrats and five Republicans faced off at the July 21 debate moderated by WLBT news co-anchor Maggie Wade.

MC Law students, campaign workers, interested citizens and others jammed an auditorium on the campus in downtown Jackson to listen to the candidates with less than two weeks before election day.

“It’s wonderful that MC’s law school can host such an event,” said Anna Moak of Brookhaven, a member of the Class of 2013 at MC Law.

A graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Moak is used to being around politicians. It runs in her family. Her cousin, longtime Rep. Bobby Moak, a Democrat from Bogue Chitto, plans to run for House Speaker later this year.

The forum attracted Democrats like Bill Luckett, an attorney and businessman from Clarksdale, and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, Pass Christian businessman Dave Dennis, Pearl River County supervisor Hudson Holliday, Ron Williams of Moss Point, and ordained Baptist minister James Broadwater of Byram were the Republicans fielding questions from a panel of reporters and political analysts.

Whether they were asked if they favored initiating a state lottery or their opinions on “Obamacare,” the candidates didn’t dodge the questions that Thursday evening.

MC Law student Andrew Faggert, 23, really didn’t need to be listening to the debate to make up his mind. He recently voted absentee for his favorite candidate. But he wouldn’t reveal his choice.

“It’s just amazing to be here,” said Faggert, a Heidleberg resident. He said he was happy to help the event that brings prestige to the MC School of Law just blocks from the Capitol.

MC School of Law Dean Jim Rosenblatt said the debate provides a nice opportunity for law students to meet the candidates and helps voters make informed decisions before election day.

“It was a very lively debate,” WLBT-TV 3 reporter Julie Straw told viewers in a live report from the law school that Thursday night.

Mississippi’s gubernatorial candidates will gather for a blitz of speeches at the Neshoba County Fair near Philadelphia on July 28 as election day nears. Adding to the list of speakers will be Democratic contender William Bond Compton of Meridian and independent William Oatis.

Election runoff will be August 23 if necessary. The general election is November 8^th.