JACKSON - Although John Kerry has already wrapped up his party's presidential nomination, Mississippi Democrats hope for a big turnout on Tuesday's primary to bolster his campaign heading into the convention in Boston.
Kerry brings his campaign to Mississippi today, attending church services at Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Faith Church in Jackson and speaking at a rally and town meeting at Tougaloo College.
Kerry's trip to Mississippi comes two days before the state's party primary. With his major rivals for the nomination now out of the race, the campaign has become a race with President Bush for Mississippi's six electoral votes.
Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Texas are holding a presidential primary Tuesday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Secretary of State Eric Clark will make his usual prediction of turnout Monday. With only the Democrats holding a presidential primary, turnout is expected to be light. Bush is unopposed, and Republicans opted not to have their own statewide primary.
Mississippi Democratic Party chairman Rickey Cole says the primary is a chance for Democrats - and anyone else - to show they are behind Kerry. "I want every Democrat in Mississippi to get behind John Kerry for the sake of our state and country," Cole said.
The only congressional primaries are Republican - one in the 2nd District and one in the 4th District. Both of those districts have Democratic incumbents who enjoy solid support.
Mississippi GOP chairman Jim Herring said Republicans are too confident of President Bush to worry about what Democrats do.
"His views of what's best for this country are consistent with what the great majority of Mississippians feel is the right direction," Herring said. "We have two Republican primaries for Congress. I would hope Republicans vote in large numbers in those primaries."
Mississippi's Democratic presidential ballots were printed before other candidates dropped out. Those listed on the ballots will be Kerry, Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Lyndon LaRouche, Joseph Lieber-man and Al Sharpton.
The primary will determine the composition of Mississippi's delegates to the Democratic National Convention. To get delegates, a candidate must receive at least 15 percent support. The state's 42 delegates and six alternates will be divided proportionally according to the primary results.
In south Mississippi's 4th District, Democrat Rep. Gene Taylor has been in Congress since a 1989 special election. He'll face the winner of the Republican primary, being contested by second term state Rep. Mike Lott of Petal; Karl Mertz of Long Beach; and Steven McCaleb of Long Beach.
In the 2nd District, which includes the Delta, Democrat Bennie Thompson is running to keep the seat he's held since a 1993 special election.
Thompson is unopposed for his party's nomination.
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