Pine Belt Veteran and family man announces candidacy for House District 102

HATTIESBURG, MS. - A Pine Belt Veteran and family man with deep Hattiesburg roots announced his candidacy this week for House District 102.

Casey Mercier, 55, is a husband and father to five children. He is currently retired and ended his career at Jones County Junior College where he served as Vice President of Information Technology for 10 years.

Mercier is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Mississippi National Guard. "The reason I am running is, I am a reflection of the people of District 102. I live as most of them do" he said. "I have the same experiences as they do. I want to represent the common man" he added.

Mercier, the son of Damian and Toby Mercier, is married to Becky Mercier, a nurse practitioner at Forrest General Hospital. The Merciers, both graduates of USM, have lived in Hattiesburg for the past twenty years where they have been actively involved in the community. They are the parents of five children; Damian, Jacob, Ella, Cooper, and Satchel.

"Mississippi has enough lawyers, big business men and corporate interest people serving, it is time we had more people like me and the people of District 102 serving at the state capitol" Mercier said.

Prior to working at JCJC, Mercier worked for BellSouth and Mississippi Information Technology Services. He said if elected he is passionate about changing Mississippi's public education system.

“The State of Mississippi is facing some serious challenges and I believe that the people of the 102nd House District, along with the people of Mississippi as a whole, are ready to see some common-sense legislation regarding the education of our children and the budgeting of hard-earned tax dollars,” said Mercier.

“We need to let the rest of the country know that Mississippi has a lot to offer and we need to pass laws that promote job growth in the state" he said.

Mercier added, "There is no better place in the country to live than in the Pine Belt of Mississippi and I will work tirelessly for the people of this district to pass legislation that will improve the quality of education for our children and improve the overall quality of life for our residents.”

“I believe that my experience with the State of Mississippi along with my work in the private sector gives me a unique perspective into the workings of the state government as well as ways to improve the quality and the efficiency of the process."

"I am committed to government accountability. That starts with having elected officials who listen to the concerns of the people and who take seriously the tremendous responsibility that comes with elected office" said Mercier.

Mercier is running against Cory Ferraez an Attorney, Kathryn Rehner a Social Worker, and Missy Warren McGee.

Governor Phil Bryant has yet to announce a special election date.