Russell Endorses McCullough

Daily Journal - Russell to endorse McCullough - Dr. Randy Russell of Oxford, who pulled in 24 percent of Tuesday's Republican vote for 1st District Congress, said he will endorse the race frontrunner, former Tupelo Mayor Glenn L. McCullough Jr. "He is the closest to us in political philosophy," Russell said in a telephone conversation.

Rothenberg Political Report - Mississippi 1: Russell Expected to Endorse McCullough - McCullough edged out Davis 39%-37% in Tuesday's initial balloting, with Dr. Randy Russell finishing third with 24%. Now, Russell is likely to endorse McCullough.

Daily Journal - McCullough moves into runoff with Russell's support - Former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough's quest to win the 1st District congressional seat got a big boost Wednesday when the third-place finisher, Dr. Randy Russell of Oxford, gave him his endorsement in the April 1 Republican runoff. Russell ran a strong race with 24 percent in Tuesday's primary across the district, which includes 23 north Mississippi counties and one precinct in another. McCullough led the ticket with 39 percent and is in the runoff with Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, who received 37 percent. "We believe he is the closest to us in political philosophy," Russell said in a Wednesday afternoon phone interview with the Daily Journal. He said news conferences are set today districtwide to publicize his endorsement.

The Oxford ophthalmologist has been a conservative activist throughout his long career in the Jackson area and now Lafayette County. He acknowledged he was outflanked and outspent Tuesday, but said he was proud his campaign had gone from 4 percent support two weeks ago to 24 percent by election day. "I thought it was a very good showing," he said.

A McCullough aide said he had no immediate comment on the Russell endorsement, but will do so today at a 3 p.m. news conference in Oxford.

Davis aide Ted Prill, when asked about the Russell endorsement, said, "Every vote in the race is important. We respect Dr. Russell's decision." The Davis camp countered with news of an endorsement from Mississippi Right to Life that they said will be formally announced today.