Local candidates gearing up for election day

Jessica Chrestman

Lafayette County voters will be voting for their state senators and represenatives on Nov. 2.

In senate district nine, Democrat Gray Tollison is running against Republican Quentin Whitwell.

Tollison is currently serving as state senator. He grew up in Oxford and is now a lawyer with his family's firm, located on the Square.

His main reason for seeking re-election is to participate in making Mississippi a better place for everyone. "I work well with others. It's my greatest skill and that is what politics is all about," Tollison said.

He also desires to improve education. "We can always improve on what we have. For the last four years I've worked for education for Ole Miss and the school system here," Tollison said.

Tollison has voted for many bills that have improved Ole Miss, including the restoration of the Lyceum and renovation of Rowan Oak.

His second biggest concern is health care. "We need to make sure we have good health care resources. We have set up a five million dollar trust fund from tobacco, whose interest will go to healthcare," Tollison said.

He also spoke about the growth of Oxford and Lafayette County. He wants to make sure things happen for economic development.

"I have the experience to get things done and the ability to get along with others. My record is an indication of what I can do. We run a business here, but I'm also a tree farmer. I know how laws can effect people and their businesses," Tollison said.

He has a wife and two children.

Tollison's opponent is Republican Quentin Whitwell.

Whitwell decided to run for office for two reasons: one, because he has always had a desire to serve the public since he was a child and two, because he says Tollison has not protected the interests of Ole Miss.

"Having a trial lawyer as our senator has caused our area to be left out. We need someone there who can build connections and bridges to get more done for the area," Whitwell said.

"We live in a good economy. We need to increase funding tor hospitals, Ole Miss and the basic infrastructure of our area. Someone needs to be there who will actually author a bill. Tollison has only written one bill in the four years he has been there," Whitwell added.

His main concern is restoring people's faith in the government with old fashion values.

He says he wants to be accessible to people by always fighting for their needs and concerns.

"I want to get the government off people's backs and out of their pocketbooks," Whitwell added.

Whitwell attended Ole Miss and now has a law firm in Oxford. He and his wife are expecting their first child in February.

In the race for state representative district 12, Democrat Jay Eads is running against Republican David Magee.

Eads main reason to run for office is to help people's needs.

"We went door to door to find out what people wanted. The main concern that was on everyone's mind was education, so that's the main thing we need to focus on," Eads said.

"If we provide a good education system and improve it, that would lead to greater economic opportunities, attract more jobs, and give our children a better opportunity to improve the quality of life. Also, Ole Miss has $149 million dollars of funding that demands support in Jackson."

Eads ideas for education include increasing teacher salary and reducing the size of classes. He also wants to raise accountability of student performance testing.

Eads is a lawyer in Oxford. He served in the Navy as a pilot for 20 years. He serves on several committees now, including the youth task force on teenage pregnancy and one that focuses on the care of the elderly.

"There are a lot of elderly issues that need to be addressed, including protection from abuse. We need to find ways to give more enforcement to the state," Eads said.

"I have knowledge of the laws. The fact that I live in this community gives me a commitment to leave it better than it is," Eads continued.

Eads is married and has three children.

David Magee is one of the few candidates running who is not a lawyer.

"I wanted to get into politics, because as editor of the Oxford Eagle I would get to cover government happenings and always think of how I would've done it differently," Magee said.

His main concern is people issues. He added that he wants to give money back to the taxpayers, but only after the social needs of the community and the university aretaken care of. "We have lots of jobs, but they don't pay enough. We need more technological jobs," Magee said.

"The real key to getting things done in the House of Representatives is to have strong social skills, a little local flair and personality, which I believe I have. I have seen every aspect of this town and I know what kind of representation it needs," Magee added.

Magee grew up in Oxford and attended Ole Miss as a journalism major. Currently he and his wife own two businesses in Oxford, Sir Speedy and Village Tailor. They also have three children.