Barbour picks up primary challenger

Well, Dem chances in Mississippi's governor's race have improved a bit with news that GOP candidate Haley Barbour will indeed face a primary foe.

Barbour had approached the filing deadline hopeful that he would be unopposed for the nomination, while Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) fought for his political life. But Tyner, a first-time candidate with a thriving product liability practice, said he decided to run to defend "traditional conservative values" against a Washington outsider.

The "trial lawyer" label is noteworthy, as the GOP loves to demonize that group (witness Sen. Edwards). Indeed, many in the MS GOP already charge Tyner with being a Democrat mole. Their evidence? Tyner is a member in the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Update: This Political State Report piece, written before Tyner entered the race, has an excellent rundown on Barbour. In general, the Mississippi coverage on PSR has been stellar (if you're interested in these sorts of things like me).

Posted March 04, 2003 12:58 PM | Comments (11)