A longtime Republican state senator soon will be vying for North Mississippi”s seat on the U.S. House of Representatives, the senator announced Monday morning.
State Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, said he had filed organizational paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring his intent to run for the state”s 1st District congessional spot now held by Rep. Travis Childers, D-Booneville.
“This is the first step in the process to run in the next election,” Nunnelee, who has been serving on the state Senate for nearly 15 years, said Monday afternoon.
Childers was elected to the position in 2008 after defeating Southaven Mayor Greg Davis. The seat had been held by Roger Wicker, who was appointed to fill retiring Sen. Trent Lott”s seat in the U.S. Senate.
Nunnelee, 50, criticized Childers, charging him with not taking a stance on national health care reform and causing job loss across Mississippi.
“I just think we need someone who will hold the Obama administration accountable,” Nunnelee said. “The trillion-dollar stimulus plan passed, but unemployment is higher now than it was before it passed.
“Travis Childers can”t decide if he”s for or against Obama”s health care plan. I can tell you right now that I am opposed to any kind of government-run health care,” Nunnelee added. “And almost everyone I know in North Mississippi has seen a big decline in the economy.”
Nunnelee also blasted Childers for the current congressman”s support of recently elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“He (Childers) voted for her 100 percent of the time,” Nunnelee said. “I just don”t trust the leadership of Nancy Pelosi.”
Although Nunnelee declared his intent to run in the 2010 election, he still must file qualifying paperwork in January 2010, he explained.
“What I filed today just declares my intent to run as a candidate, and allows me to begin fundraising,” Nunnelee said.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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