Officals expect record number for elections

Will Glover
DM Senior Staff writer

Near-record numbers are expected across the state today as Mississippians go to the polls to choose a new governor, lieutenant governor and a multitude of other state and local offices. A proposed constitutional amendment will be on the ballot, as well.

Lafayette County residents will vote for the state offices, as well as county offices, and choose their state senator and representative.

Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Mary Alice Busby said she expects about half of the approximately 19,000 registered Lafayette County voters to cast a ballot today.

"The candidates have worked really hard to get people out (to vote). Hopefully we'll have a a large turnout," Busby said. "We would hope that it would be more (than half), but that's usually about the turnout."

Secretary of State Eric Clark, himself in the midst of a re-election battle, expects about 790,000 Mississippians to vote today, which would be the second best turnout ever for state elections.

One of the tightest and most prominent races is that for governor. Republican Mike Parker, who left his post in Congress to run for governor, faces Democrat Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. With current Gov. Kirk Fordice unable to run because of the state's two-term limit for the post, Parker and Musgrove are running for the first open governor's seat since 1987, and the race figures to be a close one. While Musgrove had held early leads in public opinion polls, the latest polls indicate Parker may have taken the lead.

The pair have spent more about $7 million on the race, including Parker's get-out-the-vote among black citizens.

Another hotly-contested race pits former state senator Amy Tuck, a Democrat, against Republican and former state senator Bill Hawks. The seat was left open by Musgrove.

In Oxford, Republican Quentin Whitwell will face incumbent Democrat Gray Tollison in the race for State Senate District 9. The race has become tight in the last week with both candidates campaigning non-stop.

"It's been a long hard campaign and I'm waiting to see what the people think about the candidates," Tollison said. "The right to vote is one of our most treasured rights. I get excited about it not only as a participant but as a voter myself."

Whitwell, who attended a College Republican candidate kickoff Monday night, is anticipating a close race.

"I'm really excited about the timing of this race. I believe we have the momentum, that we are coming in on all four cylinders," Whitwell said. "I very proud of all of our supporters and I believe that we have communicated a powerful message of restoring peoples faith in government."

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state. Local election results will be announced after 9:30 p.m. in the county courthouse on the Oxford Square, Busby said

For a complete listing of the candidates, please see pages 6 and 7.