By Jeremy Weldon

The two Republicans seeking the District 10 Mississippi House of Representatives seat are hoping the growing interest in the Governor’s race will help turn out their supporters for the Party Primary runoff Tuesday.

Both Kelly Morris of Panola County and Brady Williamson of Lafayette County polled well in their home boxes and have worked the past three weeks to reconnect with their primary voters and pick up some of those who supported Robbie Gray of Batesville, who did not make the runoff.

Morris and Williams each provide The Panolian with statements about their campaigns and plans if they advance to the General Election in November and win the seat. Independent candidate Josh Hawkins, also of Batesville, will face the winner of Tuesday’s race between Morris and Williamson.

Williamson graduated from Ole Miss School of Accountancy, went to work for Delta Industries as a concrete home sales and project manager. He has an extensive military background with the U.S. Army and the National Guard.

He served as company commander in Iraq, was a training officer at Camp McCain, and an Army ROTC instructor at Ole Miss. He and his wife have two children and own a small business. The family lives outside Oxford, and has a farm in Panola County off Pope-Water Valley Rd.

The family is involved in multiple church ministries and volunteers for several charitable organizations.

Williamson said if chosen to the Republican nominee he will represent all of the District equally. “After living all over in Memphis, Madison, Destin, and all over with the military I came right back to the place where I met my wife 24 years ago. My family has been here a short 13 years, but you should not hold that against me. I am for you more than you realize,” he said.

“When they redraw the district lines in the near future I will still be there for you, but to make that happen I need one-third of Batesville voters, and for that I will be very grateful,” he said.

Williamson said he believes there are four functions of government that should get the most effort: providing common infrastructure across the state; protecting the Constitution; supporting law enforcement, military, and first responders; and promoting education opportunities.

“There are roles in our community that government is not fit for.  Government is increasingly inefficient, ineffective, wasteful and often incentivizes actions we want to prevent when trying to take on roles of the church, charitable organizations, and local communities,” he said.

“We have come a long way in Mississippi, nothing short of a miracle, but government involvement in these areas divides us. Church and local communities have to step back up. Over the next 20 years I want government to step up in these four functions and step down in the rest.”

Morris is a lifelong resident of Panola County, and was ag instructor at South Panola High School for many years. He now owns a landscaping business that has clients throughout North Mississippi.

Morris was president of the Panola County Board of Supervisors for one of the two terms he served as the representative of District 4. He said the experience of working with people all over the county during his term as supervisor will be valuable if elected for the state post.

During campaign visits with voters and at several rallies around the district, Morris has stressed that  he is pro-life, pro-First Amendment, and pro-small business.

“I have been endorsed by the Mississippi Right to Life, and I believe there are other alternatives than abortion. On guns, I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves and our rights should not be taken away just because a person decides to settle his problems with a gun,” Morris said.

“I know the struggles that small businesses face and will fight for them in Jackson. I will work to hold down taxes so the people of Panola, Lafayette,  and Tallahatchie can keep more in their pockets and at the same time work to have better economic development and jobs in District 10,” he said.

“I hold Christian Conservative values very high. I believe in being conservative in my own business and will do the same in the House.  We need to keep strong leadership in District 10 and I will work to serve each of you with the highest regards and integrity,” he said.

Absentee voting ends in Panola County tomorrow at noon at the two courthouses. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at all the precincts in Panola County. All registered voters may vote in the Republican Primary  runoff except those who voted in the Democratic Primary Aug. 6.