Former Democratic governor Ronnie Musgrove campaigned across east Mississippi Thursday, shaking hands with voters and speaking with elected officials.

Musgrove said Mississippi's 2.9 million people need a voice.

"Washington is protecting the special interests, the insiders, and the party," said Musgrove. "As a result, people are being squeezed at the gas pumps. They're being squeezed at the grocery stores. Unemployment is at 8.5 percent in Mississippi. We're losing jobs overseas and people are hurting."

Musgrove is in a vigorous race for the seat held by Republican Trent Lott, until his retirement in 2007. His opponent is Roger Wicker, a veteran Republican congressman appointed to fill the post until the November election.

Musgrove said Wicker has been in Washington 14 years and is part of what is not working.

"I'm going to vote for a good idea. If the Republicans have a good idea for Mississippi, I'm going to vote for it," Musgrove said. "If the Democrats have, I'll vote for that. I'm not going to be a straight party line person and put the party over the people."

Musgrove said people are hurting primarily because of out-of-control spending.

"We need to stop borrowing money from China and India," said Musgrove. "We've mortgaged our future and our children's future doing that."

Musgrove said he favors increased drilling and an energy plan that leads to independence from foreign countries.

The U.S. Senate race will be on the Nov. 4 ballot. The candidate who wins will serve the remaining four years of the term.