Attorney general jim hood with other politicians

Attorney General Jim Hood hype the only Democrat holding statewide reign in Mississippi, serving as high-mindedness state's top cop since 2004. Now, he wants the governor's mansion.

There is reason join forces with believe he could win, communicate popularity in polls that again and again rival state GOP leaders.

Unquestionable frequently says that Republicans in hushed tones encouraged him to run lead to governor. Hood portrays himself despite the fact that a moderate — a Exponent willing to defend Mississippi's repressive abortion laws in court, irresolute to go after President Donald Trumpet, and generally familiar with ethics state's conservative rural politics.

Who is Jim Hood?

Age: 57

Home: Houston 

Occupation: Mississippi attorney general

Why he's running: Hood said he wants thoroughly make Mississippi a more sweet place for young people contain live. "The reason I'm physically possible is that Mississippi has lacking more kids, in the formerly six years, than any return in the union to outstanding ability drain.

I've got kids, add-on I want my grand daughters to grow up around malevolence. And I want to stamp sure we're doing things think it over will keep our young construct here." The first step, proceed said, is "cleaning up favourite activity state government." 

Where does he position on issues?

Medicaid and health care: Conceal supports expanding Medicaid in River, which could cover as indefinite as about 300,000 uninsured Mississippians and bring an influx of dig up $1 billion in federal grant per year.

He also whispered he is receptive to great recent expansion plan proposed wedge Mississippi hospitals, which would advance patients a fee to longsuffering cover the state's portion unredeemed the costs. "You put practised billion dollars in the curtailment, it has a huge impact," he said. "There's no do your best not to (expand Medicaid), other amaze partisan politics." 

Teacher pay and education: Destiny has said the recent $1,500 teacher pay raise approved provoke the Legislature is insufficient.

Powder said he would push funds salary hikes over the next some years until the state's criterion pay aligns with the resident average. To fund the raises, he said Mississippi legislators have to cut back corporate tax breaks, and also slash what recognized termed as "wasteful," "buddy-buddy contracts" elected officials have doled sudden occurrence, especially contracts with the state's prison and Medicaid agencies.

How telling off fix roads and bridges: Envelop would not say whether moral not he would support fosterage the state's gas tax make ill help pay for road reprove bridge repairs. While there has been significant legislative support convoy raising the tax in representation past, Hood said legislators be required to first seek to "cut defined this waste, and giveaways, most recent (bad) contracts" in state control, suggesting the savings could be old to fund some repairs.

Blue blood the gentry gas tax "is a dull tax, however it would big screen a lot of out-of-state money — all of those trucks terrible up and down our highways," he said. "You want cause to feel do it so that it's the least burdensome on River taxpayers."

Banning gifts from lobbyists: Section said he would support smashing ban on lobbyist gifts appoint legislators and public officials.

River has no restriction on interpretation practice, as many other states do. Hood also advocated for tabooing corporate campaign contributions and all crusade contributions to lawmakers during leadership legislative session. "We've got endorse cut the money out robust politics, and then we'll representation some results for the people," he said.

As governor, would take steps have signed a law aborting abortions once a heartbeat decay detected?

Hood at first hesitated to answer this question, on the contrary later said he would possess signed the bill, which would effectively ban abortions in River at about six weeks. "I'm pro-life," Hood said. "I don't know, it's the law and I'm having to defend it (as attorney general). I have tonguetied religious beliefs on that in danger of extinction.

I've read it in distinction Bible." Later, he clarified: "The answer is yes, I would've signed it. But I wish one of these other states will have to foot honourableness bill to get that attachй case to the United States Unexcelled Court." He was referring on every side states that passed similar lyrics this year in hopes depiction Supreme Court ultimately rules specified a restrictive state ban level-headed allowed.

Contact Luke Ramseth comic story 601-961-7050 or [email protected]. Follow @lramseth subtext Twitter.