4th Congressional District Race Heats Up:
Palazzo Throws His Hat in the Ring
State Representative Steven Palazzo (R-District 116) announced this morning while on the Paul Gallo Show on Supertalk MS that he will throw his hat in the ring to challenge 4th Congressional District Democrat Congressman Gene Taylor. Palazzo must first face Joe Tegerdine in the Republican primary. Tegerdine has already qualified to run for the seat and has been working to form a grassroots organization while visiting locations throughout the district.
According to his state representative website, Palazzo is a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and has lived there his entire life with the exception of temporary work assignments and tours of duty in the US and overseas. He is committed and dedicated to helping the MS Gulf Coast recover and meet the challenges ahead. Palazzo touts his experience as a small business owner, CPA, and employee that has provided him with a keen insight and understanding of what it means to hold yourself and others accountable for their actions. He understands the need for a balanced industry to sustain economic and job development. Education is important to Palazzo as he sees it as the key to our future and creating a competitive workforce. As a US Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War and current Mississippi National Guardsman he understands the importance of promises made and promises kept to our active military, reserves, and retirees.
Palazzo made headlines recently when he requested Mississippi's Attorney General prepare for action against the federal government in case the pending health care legislation is passed in its current form. In one interview, Palazzo stated, "The vast majority of American people oppose a government takeover of healthcare. We are all seeing firsthand the bold corruption and calamitous nature of our federal government unfold in front of our eyes. This is truly sickening to watch."
The Jackson Free Press did a story on Palazzo recently as their Person of the Day. The December 31, 2009 article spoke to the aforementioned letter to Attorney General Hood and other points. Here's an excerpt:
"Mississippi legislators take an oath of office to never vote for any measure in exchange for a promise or vote for another measure or person," Palazzo wrote in his letter. "The blatant federal deal brokering to BUY votes is immoral and unethical."
Not content to merely castigate Congress' deal making, Palazzo also alleged that health-care reform would actually violate the Constitution.
"Furthermore, it is unconstitutional to pass such an unfunded mandate onto the states," he wrote. "Simply put, I along with a majority of Mississippians, see this as a violation of equal protection of the law, an affront to our sovereignty, and a breach of the U.S. Constitution."
Palazzo has carried the banner for right-wing national politics before, notably on a resolution from the 2009 legislative session recognizing Worker's Memorial Day, a commemoration supported by labor unions of Americans who have died on the job. The house bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Evans, D-Jackson, sparked thirty minutes of bloviating on both sides, after Palazzo insisted on attaching an amendment that offered a veiled criticism of the proposed, union-supported Employee Free Choice Act a favorite bogeyman of conservative political commentators.
It says something about the politics and character of Palazzo when the Jackson Free Press makes an issue of him. The first part of the article starts with "While he represents Biloxi in the Mississippi Legislature, Rep. Steven Palazzo often seems to be acting on a national stage." Could even they see potential?
Palazzo does bring conservative credibility to his Congressional run and will be able to actively compete with the Gulf Coast voting base. He will also be a viable fundraiser, a must to effectively brand his name and message in the minds and hearts of the 4th District electorate. Palazzo brings to the table name recognition and a proven record of public service, both of which are weighty campaign needs especially taking on such an incumbent as Democrat Gene Taylor. Additionally, Palazzo will be able to speak to the needs of the people of Mississippi and the hardships facing the state due in large part to the current Presidential administration as well Democrat controlled Congress.
I expect a gentlemanly race between Tegerdine and Palazzo. Either way, we've seen what twenty years has given us in the 4th District. I truly desire our nation to be more than it is today; America desperately needs the next generation of leaders to begin to take hold now, not tomorrow. I encourage you all to consider the 2010 Congressional race and help America be more.
Frank Corder,
Pascagoula City Councilman
