Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, the only Democrat in a statewide office, wants to keep the job he's held for 12 years. His Republican Rival Mike Hurst, a former federal prosecutor, says it's time for a change and the polls reflect that.
"It says 50-50 basically," said Hurst.
Jim Hood's pollster has a different take.
"Our last poll showed 57 for us, 35 for our opponent," said Hood.
Recently the candidates campaigned for votes at the Mississippi Economic Council's Hobnob in Jackson. Hood told business leaders his office handles a range of responsibilities, including protecting the elderly from exploitation and young people from cyber-bullying and sexting. He said technology threats are constantly changing. They're working to educate businesses and government agencies on preventing data breaches. Hood says political party affiliation isn't the key to winning.
"It's not necessarily as partisan as some people say. It's about who you like, you know and just getting out and meeting people and letting them know you're a real genuine person, that they can talk to. Most people respond to that. They tell me that," said Hood.
Hood says he has some 25 years of experience as a prosecutor including working as a district attorney in Oxford. Mike Hurst claims that's the problem.
"I think Mississippi wants a change. I think they're tired of career politicians, which is what my opponent is. They're tired of folks not standing up to Obama, which my opponent has not done. They're tired of the pay to play public corruption in our state, which my opponent has not gone after," said Hurst.
Hood explains they do go after corruption cases. But the feds are better equipped to prosecute certain ones because they have more resources. Hurst points to his experience as a federal prosecutor handling large corruption cases, his dedication to hard work and integrity as reasons to elect him to the office.
