Republican candidate for governor PhilBryant spoke to supporters at Reed’s Metals Thursday, encouragingthem to participate in the Nov. 8 general election.

    “Don’t be apathetic and think we’ve got this,” Bryant said. “We’vegot to get the vote out.”

    Bryant, the state’s current lieutenant governor, faces Democraticcandidate Johnny DuPree in the race for governor.

    Word of mouth is one of the most significant factors in influencingvotes, according to Bryant.

    “Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers who you are going tovote for,” he said.

    Bryant also spoke about how he and his opponent have conductedthemselves in the race.

    “I have a Democratic opponent, and we have very different visionsfor the state,” Bryant said. “But we have not attacked anyone. Wehave redefined how you run for office.”

    Bryant was joined by three Brookhaven-based candidates for stateand legislative office: Becky Currie, the incumbent House District92 candidate seeking re-election; Cindy Hyde-Smith, the currentSenate District 39 senator who running for state commissioner ofagriculture and commerce; and Sally Doty, running to fillHyde-Smith’s District 39 seat.

    “I am so pleased to be joined by these strong Republican women,”Bryant said.

    Bryant had high words of praise for Hyde-Smith. He said she issomeone who understands the full significance of the commerce andagriculture position.

    “That word commerce in there is important,” Bryant said. “It’s notjust about rodeos.”

    Hyde-Smith returned Bryant’s compliment and praised his abilitieson the campaign trail.

    “There is no harder campaigner than Phil Bryant,” Hyde-Smith said.”He is a machine.”

    Following his brief words, Bryant mingled and spoke with members ofthe crowd.

    He discussed local Republican politics with John Roberts, chairmanof the Lincoln County Republican Party.

    With Dustin Bairfield, Republican candidate for circuit clerk, heemphasized the need for Republican candidates in local races.

    “We’ve got a lot of sheriffs and judges that are going to have torealize, with Barack Obama in the White House they’re going to haveto make a change,” Bryant said.

    Before his left Lincoln County, Reed’s Metals owner Bernie Reedtook Bryant on a brief tour of the facility.