Spotlight on the MS 1st Congressional District

Republican Winner, Alan Nunnelee
Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District includes much of the northern portion of the state including the cities of Columbus, Oxford, Southaven, and Tupelo. The seat is held by Democrat Travis Childers. He won a special election in May of 2008 to replace Republican Roger Wicker, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Governor Haley Barbour to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott. Wicker had dominated his seven House contests in this conservative leaning district so Childers’ defeat of Republican Greg Davis in both the special and the general elections was exemplary of the 2008 Democrat electoral success in many conservative leaning districts. Voters in the First District handed George W. Bush and John McCain 25 point victories in 2004 and 2008 respectively. This year, the anti-Democrat mood of the electorate coupled with the Republican lean of this district became insurmountable hurdles for Childers. Republican State Senator Alan Nunnelee easily reclaimed this seat for the GOP on November 2, 55% to 41%.
Alan Nunnelee
  • Graduate, Mississippi State Univ. 
  • VIce President of Allied Funeral Assoc., a life insurance company specializing in funeral home work
  • Mississippi State Senate, 1994-present; Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and leader on several national committees addressing public health issues
  • List of Legislative Highlights found at http://www.nunneleeforcongress.com/Accomplishments.aspx
  • Instrumental in bringing comprehensive Tort Reform to Mississippi and nationally recognized for his success in making Mississippi the safest place for unborn children
  • Rated as a Business Champion for his support of issues relating to the free enterprise system
  • Recognized by the Mississippi Lions Eye Bank for invaluable service to the blind
  • Named “Friend of Agriculture”  by the Mississippi Farm Bureau, 2001
  • Passed legislation to place our national motto, “In God We Trust” on the wall of every school classroom in Mississippi, 2001
  • Member, Community Development Foundation’s board of directors; deacon and Sunday School teacher at Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo; youth baseball coach

ISSUES

  • Allow individuals, families, and small businesses to keep more of their hard earned money; government should set priorities and live within a budget; end wasteful earmarks; health care reform should not be government-run but should reduce costs and ensure personal decisions are made by patients, families, and doctors; ensure military is the best equipped and most prepared in the world; offer returning veterans the support they deserve; comprehensive, all inclusive approach to energy; open and transparent government; sanctity of life and traditional marriage; education should be a top priority for any elected official; right to keep and bear arms (endorsed by NRA)
"I believe that the strength of America lies in its people, neighborhoods, churches and communities, not in the Federal Government. I want to take Mississippi values to Washington because I believe our leaders can learn something from the good people of Mississippi. I am proud of Mississippi and I will be the same person in Washington as I am here at home – Conservative, pro-life, pro-family, fiscally responsible and a defender of the Second Amendment."
"Taxes"
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.