AP Photo/Rogelio V. SolisThird Congressional District Republican Gregg Harper celebrates with supporters in Jackson after winning the runoff election on April 1, 2008. Harper, who has served the district since 2009, will not run for re-election this year, he told his staff on Thursday morning.  

Following a statement Thursday by Gregg Harper saying he won’t seek reelection as Mississippi 3rd District representative in Congress, local leaders praised his work for the community and state. 

“It took me by surprise,” Greg Snowden, Speaker Pro Tem of the Mississippi House of Representatives, said. “I just had lunch with him yesterday and, of course, he didn’t mention it. I just learned about it (a few) hours ago.”

Snowden, who represents District 83, said he befriended Harper two decades ago, around the time Harper served as the chairman of the Rankin County Republican Party.

“When he first announced that he was running (for the House seat in 2008), not many people knew him,” Snowden said. “I said all along that people needed to look out for him.”

Both the Mississippi Republican Party and National Republican Congressional Committee released statements praising Harper, both ending with a note to Harper’s “conservative” successor. 

“Congressman Harper has been a strong advocate for Mississippi over the last decade. I want to thank him for his dedication and service to make our party, our state, and our nation stronger. I wish Gregg and his family well as they embark on a new chapter, and I look forward to working with his successor to advance conservative policies at the national level,” said Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Lucien Smith.

“Harper wrote the book on hard work,” said Steve Shivers, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. “He has been a pivotal member of the House of Representatives, and I thank him for his service to Mississippians and to his colleagues in the House. Harper is a true conservative and a man of integrity. The NRCC is fully confident we will elect another conservative to this seat come November.”

Despite being one of 435 representatives serving in the House, Snowden said Harper “was an effective member and leader in the House… he’s been an effective communicator for the district. A good conservative voice because it is a conservative district.”

Specifically, Snowden said that Harper had been supportive of the military community, adding that Harper and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., both played a role in supporting the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard at Key Field in Meridian.

“He’s been very much involved in advocating for the wing,” Col. Brad Crawford, the executive officer of the 186th ARW, said. “He and his staff (as well as the rest of the Mississippi delegation) have all been huge supporters.” 

Wicker, in a news release, called Harper “an excellent legislator and great public servant… Gregg is a solid conservative and a result-oriented Congressman. He has represented Mississippi in a way that makes us proud.

“I understand his decision, but he will leave a void. I am glad to count him among my good friends and wish him all the best.”

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland agreed that Harper will be missed.

“He has been a great partner to the City of Meridian and to me personally during his tenure as our US Representative,” Bland said. “He was always visible at our Annual State Games kickoff and for important functions at NAS Meridian and Key Field. We are going to miss his leadership locally.” 

Though Harper didn’t indicate a return to politics in his news release, but, as a close ally of Gov. Phil Bryant, Harper has been a mentioned as a replacement if Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., retires early.

Cochran, in a statement, commended Harper “for his ongoing service to Mississippi and the nation. He is a good friend who has represented our state well.”

“The House (of Representatives)… is a place where you’re closer to the people (than the Senate). You respond more to the popular concern and outrage,” Snowden said. “That’s why it’s important to have someone close to the district.”

Harper called Mississippi home, coming back every weekend when working in the nation’s capital, according to Snowden.

“He’s been a good friend to us,” Snowden said. “A friend of Mississippi and a friend of Meridian.”