Politicians stump for business leaders at 'Hobnob'

Mississippi's politicians listed accomplishments and outlined some plans and aspirations before the state's business leaders at "Hobnob" on Wednesday.

About 1,800 business leaders from across the state attended the 13th Hobnob at the Mississippi Coliseum. It's an annual event put on by the Mississippi Economic Council, the state's chamber of commerce. The crowd heard from Mississippi's statewide elected leaders, Jackson's mayor and two candidates facing off in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election. They also heard a powerful singing performance by Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray.

Some highlights from political speeches:

Incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran

The six-term Republican spoke largely in generalities — "Mississippi is worth fighting for … I will continue to represent all Mississippians … and to work to get things done." But he honed in on one selling point for his re-election: his seniority, and a Republican Senate majority, would provide the state clout in Washington.

"I will be in line along with others to serve as chairman of a committee … it may be that that committee will be the Senate Appropriations Committee," Cochran said. "My service … has helped ensure our state's requests for federal support and funding of programs that are important to us, that our wishes and requests will be carefully considered."

Senate candidate Travis Childers

Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Childers said as he travels the state, people are interested in one thing: "Jobs, period." He said people, "are not interested in all this other stuff — they're not interested in petty politics." Childers took a shot at Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who's featured in a new radio ad for Cochran.

"He would have you believe I am connected to all these liberal folks all over the country," Childers said. "He obviously didn't look at my record … Governor, I know it's Halloween and you're trying to scare people, but really, can't you do a little better than that?"

Gov. Phil Bryant

As he energetically paced the stage, the first-term Republican governor declared Mississippi, "The comeback state" — quoting MSNBC. He joked that "now me and Rachel Maddow might become friends." He went through a list of positive state rankings for Mississippi by various media and trade organizations: No. 1 best place for private physician practice, No. 2 for oil and gas development, No. 4 most tax-friendly for businesses, No. 5 for growth in women-owned businesses, No. 5 for advanced manufacturing, 6th lowest cost of living and a top-10 state for doing business.

"Every time you hear that Mississippi is at the bottom of all the good lists and top of all the bad ones, just say, 'oh no, we're not,' " Bryant said. "No, we're not. We're in the top 10, the comeback state."

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves

First-term Republican Reeves stuck to GOP red meat for much of his speech, blasting President Obama and Democratic leaders and calling Obamacare's fees and taxes "death by a thousand cuts." He said he and other GOP legislative leaders have brought the state's fiscal affairs into order and a tax cut may be forthcoming.

"Isn't it time for taxpayers to get a pay raise?" Reeves asked. "Your Republican leaders have put you, the taxpayers first on our agenda."

House Speaker Philip Gunn

The first-term Republican noted a top MEC priority has been improving public education, and he said the current legislative leadership shares that priority. He pointed to passage of charter schools, increased education funding over the last three years, a teacher pay raise and literacy and early childhood education programs.

"Don't let anyone fool you into thinking this Legislature is not focused on funding education," Gunn said. "… Education is a priority for this Legislature and will continue to be."

Attorney General Jim Hood

Third-term Democrat Hood said the state needs to continue prisons and corrections reform, particularly improving re-entry and mental health services. Hood said that if state leaders want to do something about crime, they should focus on "early childhood education and pre-K." He also warned that crime is changing in today's high-tech world.

"We're going to see a lot more (computer) hacking in the future," Hood said. "And you, as business owners, need to harden your systems."

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann

Second-term Republican Hosemann noted he cut his own budget by $800,000 this year and touted numerous accomplishments at his office, such as providing records, forms and services online and implementing voter ID. Many politicos were watching to see if Hosemann would drop any hints about running for another office next year. He appeared to.

"I appreciate the opportunity to serve each and every one of you in any capacity you select me for," Hosemann said in his speech, but on which he would not expound afterward.

Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber

First-term Democrat Yarber welcomed the crowd from across Mississippi to Jackson and vowed the capital city will take a leadership role statewide. Yarber said the state needs "cheerleaders" who will counteract the things "they" say about Mississippi.

"They say Mississippi has been burning and will continue to burn," Yarber said. "I say, 'who are they, and why do we listen to they so much?' "

Contact Geoff Pender at (601) 961-7266 or gpender@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @GeoffPender on Twitter.