Veteran campaign watchers observing the televised debate between challenger Mary Olson and incumbent Sen. Carrie Ruud Oct. 2 were not surprised to see yet another reminder of why Mary Olson's campaign is increasingly successful and Sen. Ruud's is increasingly less so.
Mary Olson champions reforming health care, increasing even-handed funding of public education and increased support of higher education, getting a handle on property taxes and economic development, bringing more well-paying jobs to the area and assisting those recently terminated by Ainsworth.
I am a long-time activist and very little in politics surprises me. I am sometimes puzzled, dismayed or even angered at what I see, however. Seeing Sen. Ruud, in a public forum, deliberately distort Olson's position on second amendment and pro-life issues certainly falls into the second or third category. It is very easy to verify the facts by checking news stories, brochures or Web sites. Candidates who do this make all of their own assertions suspect; attempting to suggest controversy where none exists is disappointing.
It seems to me that a candidate should understand the problems, which impact the entire district; they need to be pro-active in learning what the issues are and working on solutions. They need to be tireless, fearless and imaginative without being strident. Mary Olson is all of these things and more. That is why I am supporting her.
Lorraine F. Cecil
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