MERIDIAN —



    It's a year and a half until the gubernatorial race in Mississippi, but in the state's biggest election, that's not too early for candidates to start hitting the campaign trail.

    Dave Dennis, who is planning to run as a Republican for governor in 2011, hasn't made his official announcement yet, but is already out and about garnering support in Mississippi. Dennis stopped by The Meridian Star for an editorial board interview last week while he was in town for a "meet and greet" campaign function.



     The Meridian Star:  Tell us about yourself and why you have decided to run for public office.



    Dave Dennis: There's a major appetite in this state for a businessman as opposed to a career political bureaucratic environment. We come from a position of having run a construction company for 35 years. We have run it very effectively, successfully and employed a lot people over time. We're extremely engaged in the community. Most every organization, at some point either my wife or I, one, have been the chairman or president, from school boards to museums to foundations.

    This is the first time I've run for office. I just feel very, very compelled to do it. We are at a point that people are hired, staff is hired... and we're moving at extreme speed, going around the state visiting people.



    Star: You considered running for governor a few years ago, right?



    Dennis: I considered running in the last gubernatorial cycle. In 2000 I was very serious about it ... visited with then citizen Haley Barbour in 2000 and 2001. In January of 2002, (my wife) Jan actually sat down with Haley for several hours one afternoon just trying to see if he was going to run. And clearly, we would never do that. But if he was not, it was time for someone to call a question and go ahead and proceed.

    ... We believe in this state. We feel that the best landing for the state, particularly in this economic environment we're in, comes from a private sector perspective. It's hard to stay in a public sector. Governor Fordice announced his re-election at our house in 1995, and he made the comment, "Don't ever run for public office if you haven't signed the front side of a payroll check." Lord knows we've done that... But it just separates your ability to know, every penny that's spent, every dime that's spent has to have some basis in some added value to whatever organization you're with.

   

    Star: You've talked a lot previously about Haley and his legacy. Can you expand on that?



    Dennis: I think Governor Barbour's done a phenomenal job in terms of fostering an environment for the state. To succeed, a state needs to have an environment that makes people want to invest money in this state. He has given things such as tort reform a hard push and succeeded at it. He's given people that have the ability to invest, not just new industry, but, 80 percent of your growth in a state is existing industry expanding. He's given them a reason to want to state in Mississippi, to expand in Mississippi and to create jobs in Mississippi. What he's done is provided stability for a business to want to invest in Mississippi. And not only that, he's done a good job, from my perspective, of upgrading the image of Mississippi.



    Star: Have you talked to him at all about the upcoming race?



    Dennis: Very much so... Now, he is not going to endorse anyone in the primary, nor should he endorse anyone. It should be a non-partisan event.



    Star: When you look at the budget situation, what are your thoughts ... particularly running for governor in these economic times?



    Dennis: I've had a lot of inquiring comments and a lot of polite comments also. We're not crazy. We're firm believers that the best days of Mississippi lie ahead, but we've got some awfully choppy water, we've got some tough quicksand to work our way through... But have people called us crazy? Not to our face. I'm sure they have in other venues.



    Star: Phil Bryant has been a very popular statewide figure for the Republican party. What do you think would set you apart from him?

   

    Dennis: Well, it's a fundamental question in our whole race. Who is best positioned to be the CEO of the state, the ambassador for Mississippi, the salesman for Mississippi, and the face of Mississippi... Who is best equipped to be the CEO of the state? Because, clearly that's what governor Barbour is. I feel like our business experience, our finance experience... those aspects of what we do, clearly differentiate us. I think people do not want to see a long term 20 year myopic vision from a political side. They're sick of it.... The clear difference is, career bureaucratic politician versus successful businessman who has made payroll.

   

    Star: The coast was a big chunk of the GOP primary three years ago. Being from Pass Christian, how do you think that will benefit you?



    Dennis: I think every geographic area of the state wants to see favorite sons and daughters emerge as leaders, and the coast is certainly no different than Meridian or Southaven, or anywhere else, Tupelo, wherever you would go... The turnout in a republican primary, typically there's only about 200,000 to 210,000 people that vote in a republican primary, and that's a small number relative to the state.

    ...We've drilled down even into precincts where we think the votes are, and that's where we're going after them. The coast would a leader to step forward, absolutely. So would Meridian. So would Vicksburg. So, the answer is, yes the coast will turn out and it will turn out immensely.

    ...In most republican circles they will tell you there's about 12 to 14 counties to significantly concentrate on. We're going to be in every county before the election cycle comes, but where the votes are that typically turn out in republican primaries, that's where we're zeroing our energy in.



    Star: What kind of fundraising goal are you looking at?



    Dennis: Most people feel that on the gubernatorial side, you probably would need to be in the $3-$4 million range for the primary, and then  additionally for the November general election.



    Star: What do you think are some of your strengths? And what are some of the biggest issues for this state?



    Dennis: Well, the major issues in Lauderdale County are really no different than most counties... Economic development and credible jobs continues to be the issue everywhere you go, along with public education.

    ... The strengths that we bring are the ability to create jobs, to work with people who create jobs... People clearly want leadership. Whether it's republican or democrat, we happen to be republican, they want credible leadership that takes them forward.



    Star: How can education, when revenues are lagging, be upgraded?



    Dennis:  It's going to be more than just going in and saying, okay, we're going to knock of this program or that program. I suspect ultimately what will happen is, a lot of private sector money will supplement extra curricular activities. The economy will come back, but most economists do not predict us getting a full sales tax and a full budget recovery probably until 2014... Public education is the key to success in this state. If we do not pursue it, we're going to doom ourselves to being 50th. If you pursue it and do it correctly, you do it efficiently, and do it effectively, you have a chance. And I do believe we have that chance and we have it because people want it to happen.