Barbour enters governor's race

By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 17, 2003
Republican Haley Barbour made it official today: He is running for governor in this year's statewide elections.
For several months, the former Republican National Committee chairman has been saying he believes there's a yearning for change in the governor's mansion.
The question, he said, was whether there was a yearning for him to replace Democratic incumbent Ronnie Musgrove. Now, Barbour said, he sees support statewide for his campaign.
Musgrove, a former state senator and a former lieutenant governor, is expected to seek a second straight term. Musgrove, though, has not formally announced his political plans.
Barbour kicked off his campaign at 9 a.m. today in his hometown of Yazoo City. Barbour also planned campaign stops in Olive Branch, Hattiesburg, Gulfport and Pascagoula.
His kick-off tour continues Tuesday, with a 9 a.m. stop at Union Station in Meridian. Barbour also plans to visit Columbus, Tupelo and Greenville and then return to Yazoo City for a fish fry.
Barbour will be staging his second statewide political campaign. Barbour's last race was in 1982, when he lost a challenge to longtime incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. John Stennis.
Barbour has made no secret of his belief that Musgrove has not been a strong leader, particularly in dealing with the state's financial problems.
Barbour said he expects other issues in the campaign will include funding for public education, fighting military base closure attempts, civil justice reform, fighting illegal drugs and strengthening law enforcement.
Barbour made clear he won't rely on rounding up just Republicans and moderate-to-conservative Democrats for support on election day.