Spotlight on the MS 4th Congressional District

Republican Winner, Steven Palazzo
Covering the southeastern region of the state, Mississippi’s Fourth is rated by the Cook Voting Index as R+22, making it one of the two most Republican districts in the nation currently held by a Democrat. Extending across the coastal southern edge of Mississippi from the Louisiana border to the Alabama border, the district spans fifteen counties in total. It also includes three of Mississippi’s most heavily populated cities: Gulfport, Biloxi, and Hattiesburg. Showing a Republican voting trend in both of the last presidential elections, George W. Bush swept this district with 68% of the vote in 2004, while John McCain won with 67% of the vote in 2008. For the past seven years, the 4th District seat was held by Democrat Gene Taylor, who, despite the region’s reputation as a Republican stronghold, had managed to maintain his grip on this district. Taylor became one of about two dozen "Blue Dogs' who went down for the count on November 2. Popular Republican state Rep. Steven Palazzo trailed for much of the campaign, but came on strong at the end to defeat Taylor, 52% to 47%. This district should stay GOP for the foreseeable future.
Steven Palazzo
  • MPA, University of Southern Mississippi
  • Bachelor's, University of Southern Mississippi
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Mississippi National Guard
  • United States Marine Corps
  • Representative, Mississippi State House of Representatives, 2007-present
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Board Member, Boys and Girls Club
  • Member, Marine Corps Association
  • Member, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Member, Rotary Club
  • Member, University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association
  • Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars

ISSUES

Economy: The free market system has allowed America to prosper for over 200 years. The federal government should not be in the business of bailing out corporations and engaging in unfair competition with the private sector. As a small business owner, I know that with less taxes and regulation small business will flourish. This is what creates jobs and opportunities, not the tax more and spend more tactics pushed by Obama and Pelosi.

Creating Jobs: I’m a CPA and a business leader and I’ll fight for real job growth in South Mississippi. Real job growth is jobs that are created not through buoyed government spending or pork barrel projects, but instead jobs created through expanding businesses reaping the benefits of free market principles. We need to freeze the out of control spending, extend and make permanent the Bush tax cuts and then widen the tax cuts, so that businesses can prosper rather than being propped up by government spending programs. The $1.8 trillion tax hike Gene Taylor supports will kill upwards to 876,000 jobs in ten years – nearly 60,000 in Mississippi alone.

 

Constitution: When I joined the Marine Corps in 1988, I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies both domestic and foreign. That was 22 years ago and I continue to live by that oath as a Mississippi Legislator and Citizen-Soldier.

Education: We must work to ensure that our public education system equips Mississippians with the knowledge to bring better jobs to Mississippi. We cannot allow the federal government to take over our education system. This should be left in the hands of the states. While we must make our education system better, education is best left to the student to learn and parents, teachers and local school boards to facilitate that learning.

 

State Legislator: As a state legislator, I have a proven record of conservatism and fighting for my district on issues important to South Mississippi.

Second Amendment: The Second Amendment gives the individual the right to keep and bear arms.  Mississippians have a right to defend ourselves against criminals and protect to our families and property. I have maintained an A rating and have been endorsed by the National Rifle Association in each of my previous elections.

Illegal Immigration: Illegal immigration costs the state of Mississippi at least $25 million per year. It is an elected official’s fiduciary responsibility to protect their constituents. If current laws were enforced illegal immigration would not be a problem in our state. As a state legislator, I have protected Mississippi jobs by co-sponsoring legislation that would curb illegal immigration in our state.

 

Military and Veterans: As a Marine Veteran of the Persian Gulf War and MS National Guardsmen I know firsthand what it means to defend our country against foreign enemies. Militant Islamists cannot peacefully co-exist with the Western world. We cannot continue to allow terrorists who hate our way of life, and who are willing to die while they terrorize our nation. We must protect ourselves and all Americans through all means necessary. The terrorists must be stopped, and not given the same rights that they are intent on destroying. As your Congressman, I will make sure we keep the promises made to our active military and veterans.

 

Right to Life: Our elected officials must ensure that we preserve and protect the right to life, beginning at conception. I will fight to protect life and our Mississippi values. I have been endorsed by the Mississippi Right to Life in each of my previous elections.

 

Sanctity of Marriage: Marriage is between a man and a woman. The federal government should not be allowed to change the values set by individual states.

 

Eminent Domain: The abuse of eminent domain by the government (state or local) is wrong, and I support providing greater protections to private property owners. In my judgment, the bill I voted against last year (the one vetoed by Governor Barbour) was bad policy and only confused what Mississippi laws already say about the use of eminent domain. During the 2010 Legislative Session, I voted for House Bill 918 that would strengthen private property protection and used more clear language that did not contradict existing codes. During the same session I voted in favor of HC 26, which was an amendment to Mississippi’s Constitution that specifically states private property shall never be taken for private economic development purposes.  I’ve also been a strong proponent of Initiative #31, which is a measure led by Farm Bureau to prohibit state and local government from taking private property by eminent domain. I have worked as a circulator and as a Farm Bureau Member, I support their cause. I am happy to say that Farm Bureau has gathered enough certified signatures for this measure to be on the ballot for a referendum vote in November of 2011.

"I believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional Mississippi values and strong national security. The primary role of government is to provide and protect our freedom to pursue Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.I am proud to have an excellent conservative record. I’ve never voted for a tax raise of any kind and will continue that trend in Congress. I have led the efforts to reaffirm state rights to protect Mississippians from the overreaching authority of the federal government and I authored legislation to block ObamaCare from paying for tax payer funded abortions. As a Marine, I was not afraid to fight for our freedom abroad and I am not afraid to fight for our freedom in Washington, D.C. Like our other freedoms we cherish, I stand up for private property protection."
Palazzo for Congress
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.