Two of the Democratic candidates for 2nd District U.S. representative differed here Tuesday over how best to represent the mainly rural district in Congress.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Bolton, stressed the importance of experience and seniority. Challenger and state Rep. Chuck Espy of Clarksdale, said he’d seek to regain representation for the district on the House Agriculture Committee.

The two made their comments at a &#8220Meet the Candidates Forum” Tuesday night at Vicksburg Auditorium.

About 75 people attended the event, sponsored by the Vicksburg alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Mississippi Chapter of Blacks in Government and the Vicksburg Branch of the NAACP.

The Democratic Primary is June 6. Dorothy &#8220Dot” Benford of Jackson is also a candidate for the seat Thompson has held for seven, two-year terms.

Thompson once sat on the Agriculture Committee but left it to become the ranking minority member on the Committee on Homeland Security when it was formed. He said the change gave him an opportunity to achieve more for the district by virtue of its being a more-senior position than the one he held on Agriculture.

&#8220The issue is whether or not experience, whether or not seniority, matters,” Thompson said.

As an example of an accomplishment in his new role so far Thompson said Congress had designated as strategically important and thus eligible for greater protection areas or assets in or around Vicksburg including one or both of the Mississippi River bridges.

&#8220There are a lot of things that are tied to Homeland Security that are absolutely important,” Thompson said.

Espy countered by citing what he said was Agriculture’s broad legislative reach, including in such areas as housing, urban development, economic development, water and sewer projects and the federal school-lunch program. Espy said he’d seek to &#8220reclaim (the district’s) seat on the Agriculture Committee.”

Both candidates also commented on how they have or would approach projects or constituent service specifically for Vicksburg or the area.

Espy said Vicksburg is important to him and that, mainly because of the city’s relatively large population of the about 711,000 district residents, he’d open a Congressional office here.

Thompson listed such projects as Vicksburg’s soon-to-be public-bus system and other transportation and industrial improvements as ones he’s helped with.

&#8220Here in Vicksburg when they wanted to create a public transit system we worked with them,” Thompson said. &#8220And it was because the local leaders came to me. And we worked it out.” Van-type buses, purchased with a grant, have been delivered and drivers are being hired.

During a question-and-answer session of about 30 minutes the two candidates were asked by the Rev. Virdell Lewis Sr. about immigration and any effect it might have on the district.

Thompson said he supported a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the United States legally, but that all illegal immigrants should be deported immediately. He also said the government should &#8220make sure individuals who work should be paid a living wage. Contractors who pay sub-minimum wage should be fined.”

Espy said existing laws should be enforced and border security should be increased with a comprehensive plan.

&#8220I am simply for increasing that border patrol, &#8220 Espy said. &#8220We must do it.”

Espy said he held the Mississippi House seat of the late Clarksdale civil-rights leader Dr. Aaron Henry and that he was proud to have followed Henry in fighting in the Legislature against proposals to strengthen voter-identification requirements.

&#8220This district is about to change,” Espy said. &#8220This district is going to have a Congressman with a comprehensive plan for the people.”

Thompson said he’d &#8220helped elect other Democrats who think and act just like Bennie Thompson.”

&#8220Part of what you need in this office is someone who’s familiar with the local leadership,” Thompson said.

Also appearing were three of the four candidates for the Democratic nomination for one of Mississippi’s two U.S. Senate seats. They are Bill Bowlin of Hickory Flat, state Rep. Erik Fleming of Clinton and James O’Keefe of Long Beach. The other candidate for the nomination is Catherine Starr of Hattiesburg.

The winner of the Senate primary advances to face incumbent U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, a Republican, in the general election on Nov. 7.

The winner of the House primary advances to face Tchula Mayor Yvonne Brown, a Republican, also on general election day.