By Staff
JUST VISITING Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck meets Thursday night with Meridian businessman Lamar McDonald before she spoke to the Lauderdale County Republican Women in the Dulaney Room at Meridian Community College. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By William F. West / community editor
March 21, 2003
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck found herself at home before a partisan Republican crowd Thursday night in Meridian by expressing her support for President Bush and U.S. forces.
Tuck told the crowd of more than 75 people that the state Senate also expressed its support by passing resolutions Wednesday backing the president and U.S. troops.
Tuck, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party in December, also talked about tort reform, the need for fair congressional district lines and the importance of keeping military bases open in Mississippi.
She also made clear that she wants the passage of a voter identification law. Tuck, the second-in-command of the state, also serves as president of the state Senate.
Tuck, 39, of Maben, is a former state senator running for a second term as lieutenant governor. She is unopposed in the GOP primary, but will face the Democratic nominee and a Reform Party candidate in November.
Tuck acknowledged the long road to re-election, but repeatedly expressed her appreciation of support from the GOP faithful.
Tuck's campaign aide, Chip Reynolds, almost stole the show after he asked to speak. Reynolds is a veteran of major GOP campaigns, including those for U.S. Sen. Trent Lott and U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering.
Reynolds said that, humor aside, Tuck can't re-elect herself. He said it's time for the county to show what it can do for "a good Republican woman."
Reactions to Tuck's speech and visit were positive.
Bobbie Morgan, vice president of the Lauderdale County Republican Women, said, "I just like her because she's down to earth and a real person."
For Meridian resident Andrea McGrew, being a member of the organization is a new experience.
McGrew, 37, a homemaker, was attending her second meeting. Her presence also symbolized efforts to bring younger faces into an organization dominated by older women.