November’s State Senate 26 Race To Be A Friendly Competition
To replace retiring GOP state senator Doug Eckerty next year, voters in November will choose between a Democratic firefighter and a Republican insurance agent. But, as IPR Tony Sandleben reports, the candidates don’t expect this race to get dirty… because that’s not how they treat their friends.
“If two things were changed – if Dave was a Republican and he wasn’t running against me – I’d probably vote for him.”
Mike Gaskill does not expect his race against Dave Cravens to be filled with attack ads, much like the GOP US Senate primary was… for one simple reason.
“Dave Cravens is a long-time friend. In fact, our parents know each other and have known each other for probably 40 years or more.”
Gaskill believes this will lead to a race that focuses on issues as opposed to the candidates themselves.
Cravens was interviewed on Tuesday night before Gaskill was declared winner of his race. Cravens says he’s ready to let people get to know him.
“I have a commercial real estate company. I have a private business. I’m a fire chief. So I have diversity in infrastructure and background in paving, sewer, sanitation. I think it makes me well-rounded. I’ll bring a different diversity to the Statehouse.”
Gaskill wants voters to know he won’t crack under pressure.
“If there is an issue that I feel really strongly about morally, and I know that voting my conscience would cause me to not get re-elected, I’m going to do what my conscience tells me and not worry about the consequences of not getting re-elected.”
With the primary fight now behind them, both Gaskill and Cravens are looking forward to “friendly” competition in November.
More Statehouse Races Decided
Several other Statehouse spots appeared on Tuesday night’s ballot. IPR’s Terry Heifetz explains who you’ll see on the ballot in November.
Vote totals for Statehouse races can be found here:
