Gregg Harper for Congress

Good Candidates for House Come in All Shapes and Sizes

June 19, 2008 - By Stuart Rothenberg
Editor of The Rothenberg Political Report and
contributing writer to Roll Call Magazine

Every election cycle, I meet a lot of candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives. Some, in fact many, have more liabilities than assets. But some actually impress me. This column is about four of them, and I’d advise keeping an eye on each at least until November.

Gregg Harper (R), Mississippi’s 3rd district. An attorney and former Rankin County Republican chairman, Harper, 52, did what many candidates promise to do but, in fact, don’t. He put together a successful grass-roots campaign.

With one of his primary opponents flush with money and the other a well-known state Senator who had the governor’s media consultant at his disposal, Harper was the long-shot Republican hopeful with little cash and no district-wide recognition.

But his years toiling in Republican political vineyards — whether working in phone banks for a Mississippi GOP candidate in 1978, serving as a Republican observer of the Florida recount in 2000 or working as a legal volunteer for President Bush’s campaign in Ohio in 2004 — paid off.

Harper is straightforward, astute and earnest. It’s clear that he is an extremely hard worker, and that people who meet him are willing to go to work to help him. That’s a very good sign.

In a rarity these days, Harper refused to use negative information about one of his opponents. But don’t think Gregg Harper is politically naive. He isn’t. And he will win the open seat in November.

Rothenberg is the very respected editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report, a non-partisan political newsletter covering U.S. House, Senate and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics and political developments. He is also a twice-a-week columnist for Roll Call, Capitol Hill's premier newspaper.

Mississippi Chiropractic Association Endorses Harper

In a letter to Republican congressionial candidate Gregg Harper, the Mississippi Chiropractic Association offers their support and endorsement. View the letter here.

U.S. House hopeful: MSU needs conference center

Starkville Daily News - January 30, 2008
By Paul Sims

A Republican congressional candidate Gregg Harper says he would support development of a conference center for Mississippi State University.
Harper held a press conference and greeted supporters at Starkville Cafe Tuesday afternoon. He spoke with reporters after making a brief statement.
Harper says that as a congressman, he would push for a conference center at MSU.

“If you have a need for a conference and it’s over a certain number of people, they have to go to Jackson,” Harper said.

“As one of the top research universities in the world, there’s a great need” for such a center, Harper said.

Another issue Harper raised was improving commercial air service to the region.

“If you’re going to take about a conference center, you’re going to have to increase the number of flights and add westbound connections certainly at least to Memphis,” where a major hub exists, he said. “It’s just something I’ll be committed as a citizen to help,” Harper said.

Regarding immigration, Harper said: “People are fed up with it and want something done about it. It’s a matter of national security that we enforce our borders.”

On material regarding Harper’s position on certain issues, he says the nation doesn’t need new immigration laws, just enforcement of existing ones. He also says those trying to obtain citizenship in a legal manner “should not take a ‘back seat’ to illegal aliens.” He also thinks the nation should make English its official language.

Among the other issues Harper addressed were:

Special needs children — Harper and his wife Sidney have a special needs child – their 18-year-old son Livingston. Livingston has Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition which impacts on development and learning. “We’re committed to helping those families that deal with special needs children,” Harper said.
Social Security — The first priority is protecting seniors, while the second is to come up with a way to allow young workers to hold their money in personal retirement accounts “to where they actually own some of the money they pay into the Social Security system,” he said.
Protecting the nation — Harper thinks the nation should fight terrorists abroad “so that they will not able to attack us in America.” The U.S. should continue to work to address homeland security, back missile defense and give men and women in the military the tools they need to do their jobs.
Protecting families — Harper says he will support the family by advocating the heritage of “one nation, under God,” protecting Christian values and traditional marriage and supporting life – “born and unborn.”
Fiscal spending — Harper supports the reduction of spending and the size of government and opposes all tax increases.

Harper, a resident of Pearl, is the prosecuting attorney for the cities of Brandon and Ridgeland.

He has been active as a volunteer in the Republican Party, serving at the county and state level and working on several campaigns.He was a delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention and served as a volunteer Republican observer in the Bush-Gore recount in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Harper is a member of Crossgates Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon and a college Sunday School teacher.

Harper graduated from Mississippi College in 1978 with a degree in chemistry and from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1981.

Harper’s stop in Starkville was part of a tour across the district with stops in Pike and Rankin/Madison counties and a Thursday appearance in Lauderdale County.

Harper is one of seven Republicans seeking election to the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Chip Pickering, who announced last year he would not seek reelection.

The remaining Republican candidates are Billy Marcy, James Broadwater, Gregory Hatcher, David Landrum, Charlie Ross and John Rounsaville.
Joel Gill and Randall Eads of Starkville seek the Democratic nomination for the post.

The primary for the House seat will be March 11 along with the presidential preference primary.

Harper Opens Meridian Headquarters

WTOK•TV - January 31, 2008
By Wade Phillips / reporter

As the race for Mississippi's third district congressional seat heats up, candidates are spending a lot of time in Meridian.

Republican Gregg Harper opened his campaign headquarters at 800 22nd Avenue Thursday.

Harper is an attorney from Rankin County. He said Meridian is vital to his campaign for Congress, and the state as a whole.

"We're committed to doing everything we can to help east Mississippi reach its full potential," said Harper. "We're very committed to making sure the interchange comes in at the industrial park; that's something that's just got to take place. "

Harper also said he wants to make sure health care remains a private business and is not taken over by the government. He said that will protect this area's vital health care industry. See Video

Lott at Harper Fundraiser

www.RollCall.com - January 24, 2008

Mississippi: Ex-Senator Casts Lott With Harper in Primary - Former Sen. Trent Lott (R) will be the honorary host at a fundraising reception tonight to benefit the 3rd district Congressional campaign of Rankin County Republican Party Chairman Gregg Harper (R), according to an invitation that was circulated to supporters last week. Harper is one of eight men competing in the GOP primary for the seat held by retiring Rep. Chip Pickering (R). According to the invitation, Harper's $500- a-ticket reception is being held at the Jackson home of Billy Mounger, a well-known and well-connected financial supporter of Mississippi Republicans. As one of the most popular Republicans in the state, Lott's support for Harper in the battle for funds is sure to be noticed in a tight primary contest where Harper is battling three other GOP frontrunners.

Harper, Ross speak out on 3rd Congressional District issues

Meridian Star - January 14, 2008
By Jennifer Jacob / staff writer

There are seven Republicans and two Democrats running in the primary for the 3rd Congressional District, the seat on the U.S. House that is being vacated by Chip Pickering. Since it can be hard to decide between so many candidates, the Star has conducted editorial boards so readers can get to know their candidates a little better before voting in the March 11 primary.
Today's editorial boards feature two Republicans who have been getting a lot of attention in the race: State Senator Charlie Ross, who you may remember from the recent lieutenant governor's campaign, and attorney Gregg Harper, who is running for office for the first time.

Gregg Harper Interview.

The Meridian Star: Tell us a little bit about why you're running for this office.
Gregg Harper: The congressional seat is not anything glamorous. It's a position of service, and it's one of the few offices where you impact people on an individual basis. I don't ever want to run for anything else. This is the only thing I've ever wanted to run for, I just never thought that I would ever get the opportunity. When you look at what Sonny (Montgomery) did for 30 years and Chip for 12, it's a little mind boggling. That's why so many people are going to run ‚ everybody realizes this is your one chance at it.

Of course you know everybody in this race is going to be conservative ... I mean, (in this district) a Republican with a pulse beats any Democrat. That's just the way it's drawn, it's a safe Republican district ... The serious Democratic contenders are going to be in the Senate race, not in the House race ... our district is not one where a Democrat would even remotely want to run.

The Star: How long have you wanted to run for this position? What was the moment where you said, "I'm going to go for it now".
Harper: You'll remember the summer of '03, that Chip had an opportunity to go, and we all thought he was going to take that job and there was going to be a special election, and I was prepared to run at that time. So, and I didn't just think of it that day. For six or seven years I've thought this is what I would like to do as opposed to being the highly unpaid volunteer ... and I'm not going to run for anything else ... I have no interest in running for the U.S. Senate or coming back and running for some other office.

The Star: What sets you apart from all the other conservatives "with a pulse"?
Harper: First of all, I believe my heart is one of a servant and that I do want to help people. I also feel quite strongly about being part of the team. While others may have done some stuff within the Republican party, nobody has done what I have done to help good people get elected over many years. And so I do believe that I've worked in the trenches more than anybody else would be able to say.

And then there's issues that I feel strongly about that I believe would set me apart, and one is my view on trying to help families with special needs children, because we have one ... I'm not one who believes you should help people who can do things themselves, but there are people that really truly need to be helped, and I think we need to do that.

The truth is that most of the candidates are going to have a lot of conservative views that are similar in my opinion. I think one that I certainly believe is important is that we have to be at least willing to look at Social Security. I mean we have to protect our seniors, but I do believe that personal retirement accounts as a part of that, for our younger workers, would sure be something that would be important and I do support that.

The Star: What do you think that the biggest priorities are for this district?
Harper: The key thing for this district, and I'm hearing it in every region, whether it's here or in southwest Mississippi or up in the northern part of our district is workforce training. We do have some issues we've got to be able to address. I mean, how are we going to be able to attract new industries if we don't have a pool of trained workers that come in? There's going to have to be more of a total look at how we've been doing things because it hasn't been working particularly well.

We've got to get an interchange at the industrial park here ... they've been working for years to get an interchange and they can't get one. At least it hasn't happened yet.

And, too, if the Democrats win the presidency and they maintain control of both houses, which I think they will maintain control of both houses this time, you're going to see some military cutbacks. And you know, in this area we depend upon the Meridian Naval Air Station and the Air Guard Base. I am fully committed to protecting those and trying to make sure that not only we keep them but maybe we figure out a way to grow their missions too, so if there are any cuts, those cuts are somewhere else.

The Star: You spoke earlier about Democrats not being viable in this race. Do you feel that this primary is the election you have to worry about and whoever wins on the Republican side has pretty much got the congressional seat in the bag?
Harper: Absolutely whoever wins the Republican primary is going to be your next congressman. You have to keep in mind what's going to happen in November. You're going to have, I believe probably Hillary Clinton run, and every Republican in the district is going to come out to vote against her, and not necessarily for whoever the Republican nominee is. There will be a major Republican turnout in November ... and higher numbers will greatly benefit the Republican nominee for congress ... (if there's no run-off) It's gonna be over March 11.

The Star: Do you feel that we need to have a permanent presence in Iraq?
Harper: ...The surge has been working, and it has worked well. I am fully committed to what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Middle East ... I will say we will have a presence there for the rest of my life ... A lot of this is coming out of Iran ... I wouldn't have a problem if the President said, "Next time a car bomb goes off in Iran we're going to bomb something of yours". I'm probably a lot more hawkish than a lot of people on that.

Harper, Ross talk about their campaigns

Meridian Star - January 13, 2008
By Jennifer Jacob / staff writer

On Monday The Meridian Star will publish editorial boards featuring 3rd Congressional District Republican candidates Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross.

Ross, a state senator who recently ran for lieutenant governor, losing the Republican nomination to Phil Bryant, expresses unconventional views about his own party. He also touches on issues such as health care, which he believes can be improved through tax incentives to the individual, his experience in the state senate and how he feels it has prepared him for congress, and the importance of local leadership.
Harper, an attorney from Pearl who has received considerable support in his candidacy, talks about his motivation for running and his history of volunteering with the Republican party, why he thinks so many Republicans (there are seven) are running in the 3rd District primary, his support of a re-evaluation of social security, and his commitment, due to his son's affliction with Fragile X Syndrome, to help children with special needs, among other things.

Both candidates discuss the war in Iraq, economic development and workforce training, and their commitment to protect Lauderdale county's military facilities.

Gregg Harper visits Union Station

Meridian Star - January 11, 2008
By Jennifer Jacob / staff writer

Thursday marked Gregg Harper's first campaign stop in Lauderdale County, where he was greeted by a sizable group of supporters at Union Station.

Harper was joined behind the podium by his wife of 28 years, Sidney, as well as numerous other close supporters.

Harper addressed several issues in a short speech, including immigration, of which he said, "Everywhere I go the red meat issue is immigration."

His policy on immigration, he said, is that the borders should be secured, and that the current immigration laws should be enforced before new ones are implemented. He said he is "opposed to any form of amnesty."

He said he is for changes in Social Security, saying, "...tell me why the young people can't have some kind of private retirement account out of their social security money."

Because his 18-year-old son suffers from Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic developmental disability, Harper said he has a special interest in children with special needs and sometimes hires special needs children to work at this law firm after school.

He said he believes East Mississippi can make or break the congressional election, and that the acquisition of an interchange at the industrial park is, "something that's just got to be done."

Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge

www.atr.org - 12.13.2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gregg Harper, a Republican vying for Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District seat, recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). Read More

Harper Announces Campaign

The Rankin Ledger, 11.13.2007

The election's almost a year away, but already prominent Rankin County Republicans are lining up for the right to fill Third District U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering's seat. Since Pickering announced in August that he would not run for a seventh term, speculation has simmered over who might replace him.

Political watchers can add at least two top Rankin County politicians to the list of potential GOP contenders.

Gregg Harper, outgoing chair of the Rankin County Republican Party Executive Committee, announced last week that he will be entering the race. Longtime state Sen. Charlie Ross, who lost to Phil Bryant in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor, has also said he plans to run.

After years of organizing campaigns, Harper is throwing his hat in the ring for the first time. "It's something that I really have wanted to do for a long time," Harper said. Ross said he plans to run for the post, but said he would not elaborate until he makes an official announcement. Aside from Ross, Harper likely will face former State Rural Development Authority director John Rounsaville and Madison County Foundation board member David Landrum for the nomination.

Harper's announcement was well-attended by notable Rankin Republicans, including incoming District Attorney Michael Guest, Sheriff Ronnie Pennington, Brandon Alderman James Morris, and Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster. Harper told the crowd he wanted a return to conservatism and Reagan-era values for the national GOP. "We've lost our way," Harper said. "Our country is in danger of losing its soul."

He said he wants the nation to continue the war in Iraq, is strongly opposed to abortion and federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, and wants reform for Social Security. Despite being a first-time candidate, Harper said he feels confident his background in politics prepares him for the seat.
"I have been working on campaigns since I was in college," he said. Mississippi Republican Party chairman Jim Herring agreed, pointing to Harper's time as the party head in Rankin County.

"He's been an outstanding party chairman," he said. "In my view, he's certainly well-qualified to be a congressman." Harper will be replaced by state executive committee member Gary Harkins, whom Herring believes will excel in the post.

The position is important at the state level, he said, since Rankin County has developed a strong Republican pedigree. Herring believes the county will continue its strong support for the GOP under Harkins' leadership.

"I think the Rankin County Republican Party will continue to be very strong in, what some have called, the most Republican county in the state," he said.