With two weeks before election day, Lynn Wright and David Chism continue to hit the campaign trail in Lowndes County.
Wright and Chism, both conservative candidates running for the vacant Mississippi House of Representatives District 37 seat, used various methods to appeal to voters Tuesday. Both spoke at the monthly Lowndes County Republican Women meeting at Lion Hills Center in Columbus, with Wright conveying his education experience, family values and football success, while Chism advocated for expansion of broadband in rural communities and preservation of historical monuments.
Wright and Chism are vying for the seat vacated by David’s third cousin, Gary Chism (R-Columbus), to be voted on in a special election on Sept. 22. There are no party primaries for the nonpartisan election. Vicky Rose, a Libertarian candidate running for the open seat, was not invited to speak at Tuesday’s meeting.
District 37 covers parts of Lowndes, Clay and Oktibbeha counties.
The elected winner will complete Gary Chism’s term, which ends in 2023. Gary Chism retired June 30 due to health issues in his family.
David Chism, a Lowndes County native, spoke first and said he was proud of being raised by his grandfather, Robert Chism. He said his grandfather imposed life lessons on him, such as being productive and saving money.
In terms of policy, Chism advocated for the expansion of broadband in rural communities, which has proven especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many students are learning virtually.
“I don’t think broadband internet is about Hulu, Tiger King, Netflix or none of that garbage,” Chism said. “It’s about education and it’s about telehealth. … Any improvements on the digital infrastructure will help out the whole grid.
“The bottom line is we need to cut this red tape and we need to let this happen because the teachers and students deserve better,” he added. “I know that hybrid education is difficult enough as it is, but when you have parents having to drive to the school to get copies from the teacher to take back home, I think that’s chaos and also inefficient and wasteful.”
Chism voiced his opposition to vandalism or destruction of historical monuments, promising attempts at policy changes if elected.
“When I go to Jackson, I will advocate legislation to add and enhance penalties for the destruction and desecration of public historical objects,” he said. “I do not think that should remain a Class D misdemeanor. Because we keep and preserve our history, so our kids can know the unfiltered truth about where they came from and more importantly, where we’re going.”
In an interview with The Dispatch following the event, Chism said there were no historical monuments in the state of Mississippi that had recently been destroyed or desecrated that he knew of, unlike several other states across the country.
“I hope to keep it that way,” Chism told The Dispatch. “I’m actually proud of Mississippi. We have not, at least as of yet, had to deal with that. I believe Mississippians are good people and peaceful people. … I want to stand on the side of preservation of history.”
Chism added he has no problems with Confederate monuments being “moved to a more appropriate location.”
“Those images, even though they’re not pretty to look at sometimes, they have a story to tell,” Chism said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be in the middle of town hall.”
In his speech, Chism also expressed his displeasure about Gov. Tate Reeves’ decision to extend unemployment benefits throughout the state. In August, Reeves announced Mississippi would apply for an additional $300 of unemployment benefits a week from the Lost Wages Assistance program offered in a recent executive order by President Trump. Before the order, Mississippians unemployed due to COVID-19 were receiving a weekly unemployment benefit amount of $100 or more and now will be eligible to receive an additional $300 a week in the LWA program. Before federal aid, the maximum weekly benefit for unemployment in Mississippi was $235.
“I think about the governor, who I support, I really think he should have let that $400 unemployment bonus expire,” Chism said. “Because that easy cash is killing our hard work ethic. I believe that. I don’t blame the unemployed, I blame the policy maker. The thing is, if it pays more to sit on the couch and eat Cheetos, rather than put in a full day, what are they going to choose?
“Again, I’m not against a safety net, but I believe the scripture teaches if a man shall not work, neither shall he eat. … Virus or no virus, blindly giving out these checks is toxic to the economy,” he added. “When I go to Jackson, I will advocate and propose zero-tolerance legislation that puts abusers on notice. They cannot keep emptying our reserves.”
Wright, a former Lowndes County School District superintendent from 2011 to 2019, said he hopes to use his experience in education to guide policy decisions if elected.
“It’s truly an honor to be considered for the office of state representative,” Wright said. “I think it’s one of the greatest opportunities in the world if I can serve other people.”
Wright thanked his family for their support, and said his three sons have been “a blessing.”
Wright’s eldest son, Josh, is the head coach at Bessemer Academy in Bessemer, Alabama. His youngest son, Jonathan, coaches the defensive line at Bessemer Academy which has won four out of the past seven state championships.
“One of the greatest memories I had beside watching them win state championships was parents coming up to me and telling me what a great Christian influence they’ve had on their son’s lives,” Wright said.
His middle son, Jody Wright, is a defensive assistant coach with the New York Giants.
The former superintendent told those in attendance of his accomplishments as a football coach in Alabama. Wright won nine football state titles in Alabama and is a member of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) and the University of West Alabama Halls of Fame.
“Coaching was a very big part of my life,” he said. “If I had my druthers, I’d be coaching right now.”
Wright closed his speech by discussing his work ethic.
“If I get elected, I assure you, I believe in work,” Wright said. “I had a reputation with superintendents in the state because of the hours that I logged. I was the hardest-working superintendent in the state. I don’t want anyone to outwork me. When I was a coach, I didn’t let anyone outwork me. It’s just a mentality of mine.”
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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