(4 of 5)
BORN: Aug. 10, 1963, Laurel EDUCATION: U of Mississippi, B.A., 1986; Baylor U, M.B.A., 1989 FAMILY: Wife, Leisha; four children RELIGION: Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Congressional aide; missionary; Bush Administration appointee at the USDA POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 661 Highway 51 North, Suite 2C, Ridgeland 39157. Tel.: 601-856-3206
Pickering, who spent four years as a legislative aide to now-majority leader Trent Lott, makes no bones about his ties to Mississippians in power--including Lott, G.O.P. chair Haley Barbour and Senator Thad Cochran. But Pickering is also keen to make his mark as his own man. Though not afraid to stake out a position on issues--he is pro-life, anti-gun control, supports a balanced-budget amendment, Dole's tax cut, welfare reform and the military's ban on homosexuals--he considers the TIME/CQ questionnaire too hypothetical to answer.
THE ISSUES
Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I must stand up on my own, make my own case and earn the respect and support of the people of the Third District."
KEVIN ANTOINE (D) District 4 (Southwest--Jackson)
BORN: April 7, 1959, Gulfport EDUCATION: U of Southern Mississippi, B.A., 1981; Norfolk State U, M.A., 1987; College of William and Mary, J.D., 1991 FAMILY: Divorced; one child RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Air Force, 1981-85; Air Force Reserve, 1985-87 OCCUPATION: County planner; legal analyst; teacher POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 731, Jackson 39205. Tel.: 601-372-1419
Though a political novice, Antoine is not running like one; his primary win was decisive and unexpected (an unknown over a city councilwoman). Well spoken, educated and charismatic, Antoine says he is fiscally conservative and socially progressive, part of a "new generation" of legislators. In a district that's 41% African American, his willingness to talk about racism gives him a chance to build broad support needed to win this district.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave yes (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "One of the things in Mississippi that's held us back is that the traditional African-American politicians are stuck in the 1960s. That turns some people off."
MIKE PARKER (R) District 4
BORN: Oct. 31, 1949, Laurel EDUCATION: William Carey College, B.A., 1970 FAMILY: Wife, Rosemary; three children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Funeral director POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1988- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 229, Brookhaven 39601. Tel.: 601-835-1341, 835-2500
Parker--who had one of the most conservative Democratic voting records in the House, opposing everything from gun control and abortion to the 1990 civil-rights bill--always seemed better suited to the G.O.P. And midway through the 104th Congress he became a Republican. Rewarded with a seat on the House-Senate conference committee, Parker may still be penalized by voters if his midstream switch changed expectations about his conservatism.
THE ISSUES