Special to the Item
Tavish Kelly has officially declared his candidacy for the Mississippi House of Representatives in District 108. District 108 includes the city of Picayune and parts of Pearl River County, including the communities of Carriere, Nicholson, Caesar, and Henleyfield.
Kelly qualified for the special election, which will be held on July 25.
Kelly, a small business owner from Picayune, brings a wealth of business experience to the legislative race. “As a proud resident of Picayune and a local small business owner, I understand what it takes to promote job growth in our area. I’m running for state representative to represent our conservative values in the state legislature,” said Kelly.
Local job growth, local control of education, and smart economic development are key components of Kelly’s platform. “As a local business owner, I’ve seen firsthand the growth our area has experienced since Katrina,” Kelly stated. “We’re in a great position to build on this growth, but we need leadership that understands how to pursue smart economic development – where the costs don’t outweigh the benefits.”
Kelly is co-owner of Kelly Firearms, a family business located in Picayune that holds the distinction of manufacturing Mississippi’s first production rifle. “I’m proud of the business my family has built right here in Picayune. I’m confident that with the right leadership, Picayune can continue to grow,” Kelly said.
Kelly, a former Chairman and Executive Committee member of the Pearl River County Republican Party, says that defending conservative values will be one of his top priorities. “We pay enough in taxes already, and the answer to every problem is not to raise taxes. I will never vote to increase taxes. I will always stand up to defend the rights of the unborn, the right to bear arms, and the personal freedoms that we enjoy.” he said. Kelly is also an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Mississippi State University.
In March, Governor Bryant nominated current State Representative Mark Formby to serve on the state Worker’s Compensation Commission, triggering the special election to fill the seat on July 25.