The Mississippi Economic Council’s annual Hobnob will be returning to the capital city this Thursday.
Registration for the political networking event will get underway at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson at 8:30 a.m. with speeches beginning at 9:30 a.m. Highlighting this year’s Hobnob will be all statewide candidates plus a celebration of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the MEC.
“Hobnob is always a fun, interactive event as business leaders and political leaders from across the state gather for a fun morning of stump speeches and great food,” MEC president and CEO Scott Waller said. “There are two things that make this year very special. Hobnob is taking place just prior to the statewide general election, and it is also kicking off a very special year at MEC as we celebrate 75 years of advocating for Mississippi’s businesses.”
Every candidate seeking office on Nov. 7 will have 10 minutes to further convince attendees why they deserve their vote. The schedule is as follows:
9:30 a.m. – Kickoff and welcome
9:35 a.m. – Robert Bradford, Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner
9:45 a.m. – Addie Lee Green, Democratic nominee for state treasurer
9:55 a.m. – Andy Gipson, Republican nominee for agriculture commissioner*
10:05 a.m. – Mike Chaney, Republican nominee for insurance commissioner*
10:15 a.m. – Larry Bradford, Democratic nominee for state auditor
10:25 a.m. – Greta Kemp Martin, Democratic nominee for attorney general
10:35 a.m. – Ty Pinkins, Democratic nominee for secretary of state
10:45 a.m. – Shad White, Republican nominee for state auditor*
10:55 a.m. – Lynn Fitch, Republican nominee for attorney general*
11:05 a.m. – Michael Watson, Republican nominee for secretary of state*
11:15 a.m. – Ryan Grover, Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor
11:25 a.m. – Brandon Presley, Democratic nominee for governor
11:35 a.m. – MEC Report, “Next Steps in Securing Mississippi’s Future”
11:40 a.m. – Delbert Hosemann, Republican nominee for lieutenant governor*
11:50 a.m. – Tate Reeves, Republican nominee for governor*
(*) – denotes incumbent.
While the top of the ticket will be hitting the debate stage on Nov. 1 when Reeves and Presley square off, Hobnob will be one of the last chances for Mississippians to see most competing candidates side by side.
Registration for the event is $100 for nonmembers and $70 for members. Lunch will be included following the political speeches.
