Steven Palazzo- Candidate for U.S. Congress Fourth District
Joe Tegerdine- Candidate for U.S. Congress Fourth District
By Josh Mitchell/Informer Publisher
Republican candidate for U.S. Congress 4th District Steven Palazzo has raised four times more money than his primary election opponent, according to the latest campaign contribution filings.
Through March 31, Palazzo of Biloxi has raised $125,260 compared to his opponent in the June 1 primary, Joe Tegerdine of Petal, who has raised $30,742. The 4th Congressional District includes a portion of Marion County.
Candidates are required to report their campaign contributions quarterly to the Federal Election Commission. Democrat incumbent Gene Taylor of Bay St. Louis has raised $279,819, with $102,540 coming from individuals, $174,750 from political action committees and the remaining $2,529 coming from “other” sources.
The winner between Palazzo and Tegerdine will face Taylor in the Nov. 4 general election.
Neither Palazzo nor Tegerdine have received any money from political action committees, as all of their contributions have been from individuals. To see the campaign finance reports click this link: http://bit.ly/cdIvig
Palazzo has outraised Taylor so far in terms of contributions from individuals. Palazzo’s campaign manager, Wells Griffith, noted that Palazzo has raised over $125,000 in just six weeks. “It shows Steven’s campaign for Congress has the support necessary to beat Gene Taylor,” Griffith said.
Gene Taylor - Incumbent Fourth District Congressman
Tegerdine said he is not intimidated by the amount of money Palazzo has raised. “It’s not going to come down to money,” Tegerdine said. “It’s going to come down to who has the most people on the ground working.”
Asked how Palazzo was able to raise more money than him in a shorter time period, Tegerdine said Palazzo has “contacts with the right people. When you’ve got powerful Republican politicians backing you, you can come up with the cash you need.”
Tegerdine noted that Gov. Haley Barbour recently spoke at a Palazzo event in New Orleans. Griffith said the event Tegerdine is referring to was a reception for Palazzo at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, and Barbour made a special appearance. Barbour has not made an open endorsement of Palazzo, said Griffith.
While Tegerdine does not have as much money as Palazzo, he said he makes up for it with more than 700 volunteers working on his campaign. It will take more than money to beat Gene Taylor, said Tegerdine. “He’ll (Taylor) have more than enough money,” Tegerdine said. “It’s going to take a strong grassroots effort.”
Tegerdine noted that donations under $250 are not required to be reported to the FEC, and he said he has more than 400 donors who have given under that amount. Palazzo has also had many contributions that are under $250, Griffith said.
Also not included in Tegerdine’s latest report, he said, was a fundraiser held for him at Canebrake subdivision in Hattiesburg this month. “We’re where we need to be (with fundraising),” said Tegerdine.
The Palazzo campaign is excited that Palazzo has been given the status of “On the Radar” by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Guns program, which helps get Republicans elected to Congress. “We’re excited,” said Griffith. “We should soon be in the Young Guns program.”
Tegerdine does not want to be in the Young Guns program because, he said, it would mean relinquishing some control of his campaign to the National Republican Congressional Committee. “They basically want to control your campaign,” said Tegerdine. “I don’t want people in D.C. running my campaign. I want it done locally.”
Tegerdine said candidates with “a lot of money” get on the Young Guns program.
Wells thinks Palazzo has done so well in fundraising because the people of the 4th District are ready to send a lifelong Mississippian and “true conservative” to Congress. Palazzo has already raised more money than any other Republican candidate who has run against Taylor, Wells added.
The Informer has been unable to reach Taylor for comment after leaving several messages for him.
that should tell us that the one with the least is in fewer peoples pocket and probably that one we should vote for, but, politics is politics and thats usually who goes in, sad.
Since Gene Taylor avidly supports Nancy Pelosi I will never vote for him again. I am Pro-life and a vote for Taylor is a vote for pro-abortion, pro-cap-n-trade, and would favor the damaging progressive agenda… Please help retire Gene Taylor for the sake of Mississippi.
Big money with big gov having their control over a candidate is politics as usual and will not go over well with Mississippi or America. Doesn’t matter how long they lived in Mississippi when they jump out of state for support at the first possible opportunity. Where is the loyalty?
We think it is so refreshing to have a candidate who is so supportive of our local people. Joe Tegerdine has the strongest volunteer base and we are all working together to take our country back from the political machine of corruption.
Perhaps if Steven had gotten into the race back in August he could have had a chance. It is the number of votes not the number of dollars.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=313368808219&ref=ts
In other words, the Marion County Informer, mouthpiece for Joe, calls on Mississippians to donate so he can “catch up.” Yet another press release that pretends to be an article.
No coverage on tornadoes but coverage on Joe T.
that should tell us that the one with the least is in fewer peoples pocket and probably that one we should vote for, but, politics is politics and thats usually who goes in, sad.
how interesting that yet again there are multiple identical comments from different people.
I think it is interesting that Tegerdine will talk directly to the journalist who wrote this article, but the other candidate has a spokesperson, and Taylor will not respond. I am pretty sure I will vote for the guy who will speak openly and honestly with the people. I think it says a lot that Tegerdine’s staff are not paid, but they are working hard for him, whereas Palazzo and Taylor have paid staff… I guess its the difference between professional politicians and a statesman. We desperately need more statesman and do want to replace one career politician (Taylor) with an aspiring career politician (Palazzo).
@ Daniel, I am totally with you on that. Steven, even though has some good points is not an equip speaker/communicator and that is a critical requirement to be an effective Congressman. Steven has been receiving intense professional speech coaching to help him sound like he has some passion but he falls flat with his middle school vocabulary and lack of genuine passion. in his own words he said he was “tired of sitting on the bench.”
He sat on the bench until some in DC convinced him to run as their complaint Republican to obey the Party Good Ol’ Boy tactics.
Mississippi and Americans are tired of these corrupt Party plans and see the difference between the two candidates.
laughable…. I did not see the article as a fund raiser for Joe Tegedine but maybe we should donate so he can catch up. Don’t let big money buy our candidate. Go listen to the two candidates speak, hopefully together and you will see the HUGE difference between them.
Since Gene Taylor avidly supports Nancy Pelosi I will never vote for him again. I am Pro-life and a vote for Taylor is a vote for pro-abortion, pro-cap-n-trade, and would favor the damaging progressive agenda… Please help retire Gene Taylor for the sake of Mississippi.
I don’t think I am included in the 700 count but I have been accused of “Rah Rah” so I’ll just say, Please go vote on June 1st.
You can vote for the politician or the guy that has answered a calling from the grass roots.
And in November I will not vote for Gene.
Big money with big gov having their control over a candidate is politics as usual and will not go over well with Mississippi or America. Doesn’t matter how long they lived in Mississippi when they jump out of state for support at the first possible opportunity. Where is the loyalty?
We think it is so refreshing to have a candidate who is so supportive of our local people. Joe Tegerdine has the strongest volunteer base and we are all working together to take our country back from the political machine of corruption.
Perhaps if Steven had gotten into the race back in August he could have had a chance. It is the number of votes not the number of dollars.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=313368808219&ref=ts
The people are exerting the power given to us by our founders. We are first, taking back the Republican party with a “real person” candidate rather than a career politician. Then he will take back “The People’s House” and start whittling the Federal Government back down to size. Then, he’ll go home. People Power.
The primary in June will decide who goes up against Gene Taylor. You know, Taylor, the guy who voted Pelosi into power. I say that person should be a FEARLESS DEFENDER OF OUR CONSTITUTION. Joe Tegerdine is the only fearless primary candidate. He is the only one who can beat Taylor. Joe is nobody’s boy. Long ago, Joe Tegerdine defended us by being so bold as to call Taylor out at the Town Hall meetings. In the end, it is we the people who will vote Joe in..not daddy bigbuck’s boy with the money.