Freshman Mississippi Rep. Alan Nunnelee pulled a primary challenge today, as former Eupora Mayor Henry Ross declared he would seek a rematch for the GOP nomination in the safe Republican 1st district.
In 2010, Ross received only 33 percent to Nunnelee's 52 percent in the primary. But this time, Ross will take aim at Nunnelee's record, including his vote in favor of the debt-ceiling-raising Budget Control Act.
“Alan’s record of voting for whatever our timid party leadership wants has given us higher debt, no spending cuts except in defense and full funding for Obamacare and Planned Parenthood,” Ross said in a statement. “Alan is a nice guy, but we don’t need nice guys in Washington, it’s time for someone committed to taking our country back."
Ross campaign manager Howie Morgan told Roll Call that Nunnelee had "voted the wrong way on every single big issue [and] he hasn't done the right things for one of the most Republican districts in the country."
When asked about Ross' announcement, a Nunnelee spokesman said the Congressman was keeping his eye on his official responsibilities.
"Congressman Nunnelee will continue to focus on the job he was elected to do: Cut spending, reduce the debt, and repeal job killing regulations of the Obama administration so our economy can get back on track," spokesman Jordan Russell said in a statement.
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