Video: Politics Takes Center Stage on the Square at Neshoba County Fair

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PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WCBI) -It may be known as “Mississippi’s Giant House Party”, but it is also Mississippi’s biggest Political Forum. The Neshoba County Fair is known for good old fashioned one on one meeting the voters, as well as colorful stump speeches from political heavy hitters.

And with Party Primaries less than a week away political hopefuls were getting the word out. On Wednesday, it was the Lieutenant Governor candidates’ turn under the pavilion.

“The most important thing we can do for the State of Mississippi is to pass legislation that requires our elected officials to be accountable and be open in all actions. We need total unfettered access to what our government is doing.”

“I just think it makes sense for Mississippi to accept the Medicaid expansion money, so we can help our rural hospitals, our sick and elderly, and create jobs in the state.”

“The fact of the matter is we’re going to spend more on education this year. We’ll spend more on k through 12 than has ever been spent in the History of the State. We’re going to spend more on community college than has ever been spent in the History of our State.”

On Thursday, candidates for Governor take the podium beginning at 10:00 A.M.

The Neshoba County Fair is home to old fashioned politicking. Potential voters, supporters and fans of the political process gathered today at Founder’s Square under the Pavilion for the first round of speeches.

” I think you need to be a negotiator. In small business, you’ve got to negotiate every day and I’ve negotiated with your banker first, the good Lord asking for guidance all the time.”

“The fact that I am a practicing attorney in the Philadelphia area sets me apart from the other candidates. I am an attorney. The law is my business and I represent small businesses. My community is my business.”

“Being a pastor you’ve got to learn how to work with people. You don’t stay 15 years in a rural Baptist church unless you’re accountable to the people and you’re able to bring people together who probably disagree about some things to get the important things done.”

“I think the actual first thing is we have to make sure we protect our pastors and our churches from lawsuits in light of the recent Supreme Court rulings.”

Primary elections are Tuesday, August 4th.