In these last 2 weeks of campaigning, the incumbent senator, Dave Lawson, has initiated a print and radio campaign meant to belittle both me and Katie Cooke. It also misrepresents the facts concerning his record in the General Assembly, and calls his honesty into question.
Both Katie and I have sent letters to the media in response, and posted on FB. I encourage everyone to go to her page and read hers. Katie’s post also comments on Dave’s voting record in the State Senate. This post is my comments on his record.
The dialog in Mr. Lawson’s ad states that the “teachers’ union is beating up” on him. In fact, the union has endorsed Ms. Cooke – a Democrat and teacher in the Smyrna School District. (Please note, neither of us has complained because the NRA has endorsed Mr. Lawson, a long-standing member. And we both support 2nd Amendment rights.)
The radio ad also expresses dismay that anyone would believe Mr. Lawson voted against funding volunteer fire companies. However, the official record for the Legislature is clear. Mr. Lawson sat and said “not voting” when the roll was called on the Grant in Aid bill – where the volunteer fire companies are funded, as well as a number of other community organizations – in both of the 2 years he has been in office. Also, in his profile in the October 17th Dover Post, Mr. Lawson justifies his “not voting” record by saying he was not happy with how the Grant in Aid bill was funded. So in fact, Mr. Lawson did NOT vote to fund volunteer fire companies.
Mr. Lawson justified his lack of outreach to constituents by saying that 40% of the residents of the 15th District did not vote in the last election (Gatehouse Media debate 10/09/2012). He justified not responding to me – his constituent - by stating that he did not contact me because he was working with others on the same issue (Gatehouse Media debate 10/10/2012). Those referenced by Mr. Lawson have confirmed that he has NOT been working with them. (And the issue he was contacted about has since resulted in a legislative task force that he is not involved in.)
And lastly, Mr. Lawson often references the penalties in the Home Invasion bill that was passed instead of his own. However, he has consistently reported them incorrectly – as less than they are. His frustration with not having his legislation passed may be understandable, but misleading the public with inaccurate information is not acceptable.
So, demonstrating non-partisan cooperation with Katie Cooke, I ask you to keep Mr. Lawson’s record in mind when you go to the polls on November 6th.
