Press Conference | A Time For Choosing

By Isabel Matos

Video by David: McDaniel addresses national and local media on the current status of the Mississippi Senate primary run-off. The campaign is represented by Mississippi Senator Michael Watson and McDaniel lead attorney, Mitch Tyner.

(My transcribed notes) Mississippi Senator Michael Watson: We cannot challenge the election yet without a FULL examination of election materials

Chris has gone to all 82 counties in Mississippi to look at the process to base the challenge on evidence found.
They have combed through roughly 400, 000 votes from June 24th and
They have combed through another 100,000 votes from June 3rd. They were given 12 days to do it but it can’t be rightfully done when the Secretary of State stands in your way.
They’ve had to go to courts to ask for relief.
Yesterday was a huge win in Jackson county but they still having a 12 – day window. The judge said there was no thanks needed, he was just following the law.

Senator Watson said that THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN CHRIS MCDANIEL. Accusations of illegality are disappointing and they do have deal with those before proceeding with legal action.

Issue of Race-Baiting
Not being granted access to the poll books. Must find funds to do so. The process is set up to be uncovered.

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Attorney Mitch Tyner: Hurdles have been placed in front of the team – the Media should be aware how unfair that is. That’s wrong and they have gone to the Supreme Court to Rule to say “The candidate has an unfettered right to see all the materials of that race. This affects every voter of Mississippi. This is bigger than Mississippi.” Tens of thousands of pages have been produced. Thanks to almost sixteen clerks who opened their ballot boxes and gave them unfettered access to the poll books.

Tyner thanked clerks who made sure there was a deputy there and they were able to open ballot boxes with unfettered access. He went on to the:

Million Dollar Question: What did we Find?

Votes are being bought
Ballot boxes have been stuffed
False Affidavit ballots
Invalid Affidavit Ballots
Invalid Absentee Ballots

He said he has heard this all his life and they are committed to finding it rooting it out and stopping it. Thank goodness Senator Michael Watson has seen this up close and can do something about in the next legislative session. He said that the third lawyer, Steve Thorton who wasn’t present, was currently reviewing material, but of the four motions that had been heard, Michael Watson was on the side of right after making the arguments on all four of them. In every single case, the judge said yes, you’re entitled to review the materials, all but one.

They are waiting for the Supreme Court to rule against the only one who imposed a cost on the candidate. The issue we want to make sure is that it doesn’t matter how much money you have, you still get to look at the poll votes.

“That’s the issue that we want to make sure that the Supreme Court rules on: that it doesn’t matter how much money you have, you still get to look at the poll books,” Tyner said.

Categories of information they encountered:

Crossover votes
Illegal Votes
Absentee Problems
Votes that were cast into the boxes to see how many people signed in to the votes cast

Problem after problem was found. They will put it into a packet and give the media, the U.S. Attorney, the FEC and the Mississippi Attorney General.

When the campaign files its challenge, it will publish all the evidence for the public to see. “We’re going to put it all together in a complete package,” Tyner said. “I was really hoping we’d have it today. Monday, a week ago, I was sure we would. But I wasn’t sure we were going to run into this many problems. We’re going to get that together and at the same time we file a challenge, we’re going to give you a complete copy of it.”

He praised Chris for not throwing in the towel. Chris said “I want to root out the problems. I want integrity in the Process. If it root outs my political career so be it.” Pete Perry was called out during the Q & A that followed (27:00)

One of the things I admire most about Senator Chris McDaniel is that he is keeping the fire burning. His updates not only help us keep our spirits high they restore confidence in our elected officials. He is still a state senator and he could have chosen the path of less resistance but he is fighting for the integrity of the process. It’s not as easy as he has made it look. There has been a lot of pressure for him to not pursue this but he remains focused but he is staying close to supporters who are following this with great interest and is keeping his word. We cannot ask for more but he still needs support for his legal defense. The challenge will be filed within 10 days.

~Q & A~

Chris McDaniel and Senator Micahel Watson

ITINERARY

“Truth and Justice Tour”

Chris McDaniel keeping the fire burning as he waits 10 days to file legal action … We are happy to announce that beginning Thursday, July 17, Chris will embark on his “Truth and Justice Tour” of Mississippi.

The first three stops are in DeSoto County, Tupelo, and Jackson, and we will be sure to update you with details on more events as soon they’re finalized. Please share this post with your friends, and we’ll look forward to seeing you soon!

DeSoto County

Thursday July 17, 2014 @ 6:30 PM
Sweet Pea’s Table
8948 Midsouth Drive
Olive Branch, MS 38654

Tupelo

Friday July 18, 2014 @ 6:30 PM
Summit Center
852 N Gloster Street.
Tupelo, MS 38804

Jackson Metro

Saturday July 19, 2014 @ 4:00 PM
Holiday Inn – Trustmark Park
110 Bass Pro Drive
Pearl, MS 39208