State Democratic candidates stayed on message Thursday night atan annual political party rally at the Lincoln County Multi-PurposeBuilding.

John Arthur Eaves Jr., campaigning to unseat incumbentRepublican Gov. Haley Barbour, said Mississippi needs to restoreprayer in schools, save children’s health insurance and build forthe future through economic development and education.

Education and economic development, Eaves said, are tied to eachother. He supports fully funding the Mississippi Adequate EducationProgram every year.

“Where I break with the governor,” he said in an interview withThe DAILY LEADER, “is that I believe in promoting Mississippibusinesses. I believe in helping Mississippi businesses expandinstead of pursuing foreign companies. They have roots in thecommunity, already have family here and are overcomingobstacles.”

Eaves pledged he would do all he could to help draw businessesto the Southwest Mississippi area.

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