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Jerry Keith
From Ballotpedia
Jerry Keith was a 2011 Republican candidate for District 5 of the Mississippi State Senate.
Keith has worked for the Division of Medicaid for the last 5 years as a Medicaid Specialist. Before that, he worked for more than 20 years as a service manager for John Deere Dealership.[1]
Elections
2011
- See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2011
Keith lost in the 2011 election for Mississippi Senate District 5. He ran unopposed in the primary on August 2, 2011. Incumbent J. P. Wilemon ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Wilemon defeated Keith in the general election on November 8, 2011.[2]
| Mississippi State Senate, District 5 General Election, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  J. P. Wilemon Incumbent |
55.8% | 9,733 | |
| Republican | Jerry Keith | 44.2% | 7,698 | |
| Total Votes | 17,431 | |||
Issues
On his campaign website, Keith highlighted the following issues:
Jobs & Economic Development
- "Jerry Don believes that it is not the government's place to create jobs. Government leaders should serve to create a business friendly environment through its legislative efforts; and promote free enterprise, where both small and large businesses can operate and make a profit. Jerry Don will work with the current Republican leadership supporting legislation to create the type of environment that will attract new industry.
- Our area has two of the best Community Colleges in District 5, Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville and Itawamba Community College in Fulton. We need to work with the statewide Republican leadership to market the value of these schools to future industrial prospects. They will be an invaluable resource to any company who chooses to relocate to our area, because of their ability to offer specialized workforce training."[3]
Healthcare
- "Having worked as a Medicare/Medicaid Specialist for the past five years, Jerry Don has extensive insight into one of the most important issues facing all of us who are over the age of 50---the lack of quality, affordable health care. Healthcare costs have continued to rise, and health insurance premiums continue to be cost prohibitive for many of us. This is a direct result of the decades of abuse by Liberal Trial Lawyers through the filing of frivolous lawsuits and false disability claims.
- Jerry Don understands our needs, and will fight in Jackson to ensure that we uphold the advancements Governor Barbour has made in Tort Reform. We need a Senator in Jackson who will work to lower the costs of health care, and oppose unfunded federal mandates that hurt Mississippi taxpayers. Together, we can create a Mississippi that offers excellent, affordable health care…without government bureaucracy getting in the way."[3]
Education
- "Jerry Don is a strong supporter of our public school system and believes in spending for education, but he also believes in accountability. It is very important to invest in the state's education system, but it is more important that the state manages its investment wisely. Education dollars should be directed to the classrooms, not to more back-room bureaucrats and administrators.
- He will support the development of an early childhood education program like several other states have done. Teaching children how to be good students from the earliest age possible will help decrease the high school drop-out rate as they get older. A quality education in Mississippi will be the difference between success and a lifetime of poverty for thousands of children."[3]
Personal
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Keith and his wife, Gloria, have one son and two grandchildren.
External links
Footnotes
Current members of the Mississippi State Senate
Leadership
Senators
District 1
Michael McLendon (R)
District 2
David Parker (R)
District 3
Kathy Chism (R)
District 4
Rita Parks (R)
District 5
Daniel Sparks (R)
District 6
Chad McMahan (R)
District 7
Hob Bryan (D)
District 8
Benjamin Suber (R)
District 9
Nicole Boyd (R)
District 10
Neil Whaley (R)
District 11
Reginald Jackson (D)
District 12
Derrick Simmons (D)
District 13
Sarita Simmons (D)
District 14
Lydia Chassaniol (R)
District 15
Bart Williams (R)
District 16
District 17
Charles Younger (R)
District 18
Lane Taylor (R)
District 19
Kevin Blackwell (R)
District 20
Josh Harkins (R)
District 21
District 22
Joseph Thomas (D)
District 23
Briggs Hopson (R)
District 24
Vacant
District 25
Walter Michel (R)
District 26
Vacant
District 27
Hillman Frazier (D)
District 28
Sollie Norwood (D)
District 29
David Blount (D)
District 30
Dean Kirby (R)
District 31
Tyler McCaughn (R)
District 32
Rod Hickman (D)
District 33
Jeff Tate (R)
District 34
Juan Barnett (D)
District 35
Andy Berry (R)
District 36
Brian Rhodes (R)
District 37
Albert Butler (D)
District 38
Gary Brumfield (D)
District 39
Jason Barrett (R)
District 40
Angela Hill (R)
District 41
Joey Fillingane (R)
District 42
Robin Robinson (R)
District 43
Dennis DeBar (R)
District 44
John Polk (R)
District 45
Chris Johnson (R)
District 46
Philman Ladner (R)
District 47
Joseph Seymour (R)
District 48
Mike Thompson (R)
District 49
Joel Carter (R)
District 50
Scott DeLano (R)
District 51
Jeremy England (R)
District 52
Brice Wiggins (R)
Republican Party (36)
Democratic Party (14)
Vacancies (2)
