In Carroll County old traditions die hard. Many of our citizens still vote democrat just like their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Times are changing though. It has become increasingly hard to be associated with a party that on a national level promotes abortion, strips parents of their rights to raise their children in the best way they see fit, and glorifies a level of lawlessness that endangers both citizens and law enforcement.
I am a Christian and have always been prolife. I believe that God created each of us in His image and that there is limitless value in each and every life. I am also a husband, father and grandfather. I feel that parents – not the government – should have the ultimate authority in their children’s lives to promote their own values, morals, and religious preferences.
Having spent my adult life in law enforcement, I know that our paramount job is to keep our citizens safe. We shouldn’t have to be in constant battle against our political leaders to do so. They should support law enforcement and not try to hinder us from doing our jobs by encouraging anarchy and defunding the operations of our agencies.
I know that most of these issues are playing out on the national stage and oftentimes we feel, in Carroll County, that we are insulated from those kinds of issues. However, just this past week, Governor Reeves announced the deployment of members of our Mississippi National Guard to Washington, D.C. to support President Trump’s efforts to control the crime wave that has become so prevalent there. My son, Aiden, is a member of the National Guard. Though he was not deployed to DC, I certainly would have supported his going there. We must ALL join in the fight to get our country back on track.
Being told that one cannot hold political office in Carroll County unless they are democrat has kept the local party in power for decades. I have wrestled with being labeled a democrat for many years now. Don’t get me wrong, I have many friends who are democrats, and I think the world of them. I do my best each day to represent all people without regard to their political party, race, social standing, gender or any of the things that so often can divide us. Over the years, I have agreed and disagreed with issues both republican and democrat. Increasingly over the past several years, though, the national democrat party has become more and more divisive and liberal in the agendas that they push. Unfortunately, those issues will eventually trickle down into our local politics as well.
God’s Word tells us, “To be strong and courageous.” “Look to the Lord in His strength and seek His face always.” It is after much prayer and reflection that I feel it is necessary to change political parties from democrat to republican. I wanted to make this change well ahead of the next election cycle so that everyone will see that while political systems necessitate us labeling ourselves with a party – I am the same Clint Walker who has represented each of my constituents fairly and justly over the years. Billy Graham once said, “When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” I pray that our country as a whole will unite together across all lines of division, seek God’s face, and boldly stand up for what is right and just. Our future depends on it.
