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May 05, 2006
One Election Down, One To Go
Well, the results of the May 2 primary are in, and the taxpayers took one on the chin. The only bright spot is the re-election of the District 1 Commissioner who opposed the tax increase enacted last year. Meanwhile, a concerted effort and a lot of money ousted Commissioner Lou Miller, a taxpayer heroine who was the only Democratic vote against last year's tax hike. Commissioner Miller, though you will soon be gone, you will not be forgotten. Thank you for standing up for the hard-working, and retired, taxpayers of Hamilton County.
Another major disappointment was the failure of challenger Red Burrows to oust Commissioner Larry "Flip-Flop" Henry who in 2004 opposed a property tax increase, then in 2005 broke his word to his constituents and voted to raid their pocketbooks for a major tax hike. I'd like to express my appreciation to Mr. Burrows for putting himself out there and doing his best to depose a dishonest, tax-and-spend commissioner. If only there had been a heavier turnout, it might have happened. Hang in there, Red, the next election is just four years away. Maybe your constituents will have seen enough tax hikes by then to bother turning out, and by doing so, turning out Mr. Henry....
Coming home to my own district, I'd like to congratulate Mr. Ken Holloway, who did his best to poll 31% against overwhelming odds ... an incumbent in a primary with low turnout. Mr. Holloway, thank you for standing up for the taxpayers of District 2. Just by competing and doing your best, you have encouraged me to push forward in the August general election.
While 69-31 sounds like a landslide, I am actually encouraged. I was hoping Mr. Holloway would exceed 30%, and he did better than my expectations. Other than the heavily financed John Allen Brooks who bested Lou Miller with the help of deep-pocketed liberal Democrats, Ken Holloway did better than any other county commission primary challenger. Better than Laura Oakley in District 1, better than Cynthia Coleman in District 5, better than Red Burrows in District 7. Mr. Holloway's result tells me that there is a significant opposition to my incumbent opponent in District 2. It will take a lot of work -- which I am willing and able to do -- to win over those additional voters, and it will take much more than a 12% voter turnout (low turnout almost always favors incumbents; Brooks over Miller is the exception that proves the rule) -- but, mark my words, the incumbent *can* be defeated. Please, turn out and vote on August 3 and help me make it happen.
Campaign Updates | By joedumas | 11:57 PM