Republican candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, was in Meridian Tuesday, along with other state and local Republicans, to open a new GOP headquarters in the city.

The headquarters is on Front Street at 22nd Avenue, across the street from the future sight of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.

Bryant says the location of the headquarters is a sign of part of what he wants to emphasize for this area, if he is elected.

"That's going to be a huge opportunity for Meridian, Miss. We're the birthplace of America's music, the Riley Center, now this great museum," said Bryant. "This is going to be a cultural center for the entire state of Mississippi, and I think, much of the southeast. And that's what we're working for."

Bryant is running against Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree, a Democrat, in the Nov. 8 general election.