By Cheryl Lasseter - bio|email|twitter
JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - State leaders and candidates spoke at Hobnob Mississippi Thursday to remind people to vote on November 2. "It counts just once, and you're alive when you cast your ballot," Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said to the crowd, prompting laughs.
The lighthearted event included discussions on serious issues. This year, Mississippi Congressional seats are up for grabs, and so is the power in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker made an unscheduled appearance, and urged everyone to vote against the Democrat-run government.
"Government is far outpacing the private sector in terms of spending. That needs to be cut back," Senator Wicker told us.
Joel Gill, a Democrat challenging incumbent 3rd District Congressman Gregg Harper, said voters should give President Obama's programs more time.
"Once you know what's going to happen, people can then begin to make investments," Gill said.
State Treasurer Tate Reeves spoke of the importance of reducing state debt. WLBT asked him about MPACT, the state's prepaid college tuition plan that depends on an 8 percent return on investments, but hasn't seen that lately. He said families shouldn't worry about that.
"It's guaranteed by the state, all the risk is borne by the state," he mentioned.
WLBT also asked the Treasurer if he planned to run for Governor in 2012. He replied saying he wants attention to be focused on Tuesday's elections for now. "We'll make a decision and an announcement at the appropriate time after the 2010 elections," he said.
©2010 WLBT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
