About a hundred voters, Republican Party loyalists, campaign staffers and others heard quick-hitting summaries in Vicksburg Tuesday, outlining the platforms of 19 local and state candidates seeking the party’s nomination in the Aug. 7 primary.

Candidates kept things cordial at the 90-minute event, held by the Warren County Republican Party Executive Committee at City Auditorium.

Twelve had to cut opening comments short because of the party-adopted rules, which included a brief session for questions. Many compensated for the short time allotted at the podium by emphasizing families and turnout for the party’s hopefuls beyond the primary.

&#8220Gov. Barbour is going to be soundly re-elected in November and he needs a Republican lieutenant governor to join him for the future,” said State Auditor Phil Bryant, one of two vying for the job, along with state Sen. Charlie Ross, R-Brandon.

Bryant and Ross are locked in perhaps the party’s most heated primary campaign, one where the two discussed illegal immigration and economic development.

Bryant touted his endorsement from Jim Gilchrist, founder of the California-based, border-watching group the Minuteman Project. Ross said tort reform passed in 2004 has &#8220removed the millstone from around our necks” and credited the legislation he helped craft was instrumental in landing the Toyota parts manufacturing plant near Tupelo.

The winner will face Rep. Jamie Franks, D-Mooreville, in general election balloting Nov. 6.

Candidates for secretary of state both supported voter ID laws in Mississippi, also part of a U.S. District Court order the Legislature is directed to have in place before the 2008 primaries.

&#8220We need voter ID to protect our right to vote,” said attorney and Vicksburg native Delbert Hosemann. &#8220It is the cornerstone of our democracy.”

Hosemann said he will also push &#8220in the first 90 days” full publication of 16th Section land owned by school districts across the state.

His opponent, Sen. Mike Lott, R-Petal, said further legislation will be needed &#8220to change Mississippi.”

Availability and affordability of insurance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina was at the forefront of Sen. Mike Chaney’s comments. He is vacating his Senate seat in a bid for commissioner of insurance.

&#8220Premiums are higher than mortgage payments,” Chaney said.

Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell said an anticipated shift in emphasis toward ethanol production involving the state’s corn crop was a positive, calling it a job creator.

His opponent, Max Phillips of Taylorsville, was not present at the event and was represented by his son, Macon, who said the industry should look to other raw material byproducts, such as those from lumber, because corn and meat prices were likely to climb.

Hinds County District 1 Supervisor Charles Barbour and his opponent, Pearl Mayor Jimmy Foster, voiced support for alternative fuels and supported nuclear energy.

The two are running for Central District Public Service Commissioner, with the winner to face one of three Democrats.

Among local candidates, education, crime, and bringing more family-oriented entertainment to Vicksburg and Warren County dominated comments.

&#8220We need to make teacher salaries competitive,” said attorney W. Briggs Hopson III, one of three GOP candidates in the race to succeed Chaney. Hopson, along with most local candidates, described the school system’s dropout rate as unacceptable.

Rep. Chester Masterson, a retired physician, talked up the need for a better state health department and a new facility to treat burn victims in Mississippi.

Retired state trooper James &#8220Buddy” Terrell told attendees he would not support any tax hike except that for cigarettes, currently among the lowest such taxes in the nation.

The winner faces Democrat Eric Rawlings in November.

In the night’s most pointed exchange on the dais, attorney Ryan Sadler and businessman Alex Monsour tangled over how best to attract higher-paying jobs and enhance the quality of life in Vicksburg.

&#8220Have you looked around for what families have to do in Vicksburg? It’s not very much,” Monsour said, adding he would &#8220work tirelessly” with local officials to bring more family recreation.

&#8220I told my friend, Alex, he might do a better job running for mayor,” Sadler said. &#8220I prefer he stay here.”

Sadler, 27, the youngest candidate on Warren County ballots in years, stressed education funding, saying he favors funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program &#8220every year, not just in election years” and finding ways to provide more incentives for businesses already in Vicksburg to stay here and pay more money.

The winner faces Democrat Jennifer Thomas and independent Tom Setser in November.

Candidates for county supervisor also leapt onto the theme of a lack of leisure activities.

&#8220I want to see a Warren County we can be proud of, instead of the one we grumble and complain about,” said John Arnold, challenger to incumbent David McDonald in District 1.

Arnold and Joe Wooley, candidate in District 5, voiced support for working with city officials to make a proposed $25 million sports complex a reality.

McDonald also supported the idea, saying he was &#8220anxious to see how the sports complex will work out.”

McDonald or Arnold will appear opposite independent Margaret Gilmer in November. Wooley and James McCoy, who party officials said did not return requests to attend Tuesday, will run to face Democrat Frank Gardner and three independents, including incumbent Richard George, in November.

The party’s lone candidate in District 4, C.L. &#8220Buddy” Hardy, told he was committed to making the county &#8220a better place for your children and grandchildren,” adding he didn’t fit the mold of a career politician.

&#8220I’m 72 years old,” he said. &#8220You know I not going to be there very long!”

Hardy will face incumbent supervisor Carl Flanders and former supervisor Bill Lauderdale, both independents, in November.