The Nazz
19-09-2006, 15:07
It's rare to see someone this honorable in the world of politics, so here's a shoutout (http://www.gazetteonline.com/2006/09/18/Home/gop.htm). (That really dates me, doesn't it? Damn.)
Underscoring the brutal nature of this year's legislative elections, a Republican challenger has dropped his party affiliation after the state GOP launched a harsh assault on his Democratic rival.
"I do want to serve as state representative from this district, but not under these conditions,'' Kevin Wiskus, a Republican candidate in House District 94, said in a letter to his Democratic opponent last week. "As of today, I am disavowing any allegiance to the Republican Party of Iowa and declare myself an independent.''
Wiskus said he would continue running in the southern Iowa district, which includes Wayne, Appanoose and Davis counties. He is running against Rep. Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield, a lawyer.
The state Republican Party sent out a mailer in the race, accusing Swaim of coddling child sex abusers. It cited Swaim's work as a court-appointed public defender in a lascivious acts case in which a man was convicted but served only four days in jail.
"How did he get such a sweet deal?'' the flier asked. "His public defender, Kurt Swaim, was paid $946.30 to get him back on the street.''
It also cited an obscure vote that the GOP charged allowed sex offenders to be released more quickly.
Wiskus apologized in the letter to Swaim and his wife.
"Though I had no knowledge of this vicious attack on you, I ask that you please accept my most sincere and humble apologies to you and Julie,'' Wiskus said.
Wiskus planned to publish his apology this week in the The Daily Iowegian newspaper.
Swaim said the voters see through the mailing.
"I'm very appreciative of all the support I've received from Republicans, Democrats and independents alike,'' said Swaim. "This just goes beyond the pale and the good people of this district realize it.''
House Speaker Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, defended the mailing.
"I understand that some people don't like that piece. It makes them uncomfortable,'' said Rants. "Unfortunately, Kurt has done some things his constituents ought to know about. There's nothing untrue in that piece and there's absolutely nothing misleading.''
Cullen Sheehan, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, said legislative elections are hard-fought this year, but that's to be expected because of the narrow divisions. The Senate is deadlocked at 25-25, while Republicans run the House on a 51-49 edge.
"These are tough elections, it's 51-49,'' Sheehan said.
Rants said Republicans will remain aggressive in this year's election.
"Republicans are not going to be punching bags,'' said Rants.
"I feel confident,'' said Swaim. "I had received overwhelming support before this, and I've continued to receive support.''
Swaim was the favorite to win another term in the heavily Democratic district.
That's when you know a guy is sincere--he's running in an uphill battle and disavows the party that's spending money in his race. It's people like this who keep me from becoming completely cynical.
Underscoring the brutal nature of this year's legislative elections, a Republican challenger has dropped his party affiliation after the state GOP launched a harsh assault on his Democratic rival.
"I do want to serve as state representative from this district, but not under these conditions,'' Kevin Wiskus, a Republican candidate in House District 94, said in a letter to his Democratic opponent last week. "As of today, I am disavowing any allegiance to the Republican Party of Iowa and declare myself an independent.''
Wiskus said he would continue running in the southern Iowa district, which includes Wayne, Appanoose and Davis counties. He is running against Rep. Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield, a lawyer.
The state Republican Party sent out a mailer in the race, accusing Swaim of coddling child sex abusers. It cited Swaim's work as a court-appointed public defender in a lascivious acts case in which a man was convicted but served only four days in jail.
"How did he get such a sweet deal?'' the flier asked. "His public defender, Kurt Swaim, was paid $946.30 to get him back on the street.''
It also cited an obscure vote that the GOP charged allowed sex offenders to be released more quickly.
Wiskus apologized in the letter to Swaim and his wife.
"Though I had no knowledge of this vicious attack on you, I ask that you please accept my most sincere and humble apologies to you and Julie,'' Wiskus said.
Wiskus planned to publish his apology this week in the The Daily Iowegian newspaper.
Swaim said the voters see through the mailing.
"I'm very appreciative of all the support I've received from Republicans, Democrats and independents alike,'' said Swaim. "This just goes beyond the pale and the good people of this district realize it.''
House Speaker Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, defended the mailing.
"I understand that some people don't like that piece. It makes them uncomfortable,'' said Rants. "Unfortunately, Kurt has done some things his constituents ought to know about. There's nothing untrue in that piece and there's absolutely nothing misleading.''
Cullen Sheehan, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa, said legislative elections are hard-fought this year, but that's to be expected because of the narrow divisions. The Senate is deadlocked at 25-25, while Republicans run the House on a 51-49 edge.
"These are tough elections, it's 51-49,'' Sheehan said.
Rants said Republicans will remain aggressive in this year's election.
"Republicans are not going to be punching bags,'' said Rants.
"I feel confident,'' said Swaim. "I had received overwhelming support before this, and I've continued to receive support.''
Swaim was the favorite to win another term in the heavily Democratic district.
That's when you know a guy is sincere--he's running in an uphill battle and disavows the party that's spending money in his race. It's people like this who keep me from becoming completely cynical.