Update on Morgan
Earlier this year, the State Republican Party voted to oppose Republican State Representative Richard Morgan in his primary – because of Morgan’s support of Democratic House Speaker Jim Black.
Now, filings closed, Morgan has one opponent in the primary, and State GOP Director, Bill Peaslee, says, “From our perspective, there’s one Republican in that race and somebody who works with Democrats even though he may be registered Republican.”
Morgan, who has $710,000 in his campaign account, retorts, if the State GOP wants to defeat him and his allies, “They’d best be prepared to spend a lot of money.”
There’s also a primary between Morgan’s ally, Julia Howard, and Morgan opponent (and former legislator) Frank Mitchell.
Ms. Howard has filed a complaint against Mitchell, saying for years he has lived in a home that is not in her district and, therefore, is not qualified to run against her. Mitchell says he is qualified because he now lives in a mobile home inside Howard’s district. Howard asks, “Why would he move out of a $300,000 home into a mobile home?”
She has a point.
But the larger point in all this is Morgan’s four year alliance with Democratic House Speaker Jim Black. The alliance began in 2001 when Democrats and Republicans each had sixty votes in the State House. A deadlock. Eventually, after seven ballots, Morgan and Black broke the deadlock by running as a tandem and serving as Co-Speakers.
Democrats won a majority in the House two years later and Black was elected Speaker alone – but he and Morgan continued their alliance with Morgan being elected to the number two position, serving as – sort of – Vice-Speaker of the House for Jim Black.
What Morgan needs to make clear in this election is if he intends to make his alliance with Black permanent. Does he intend to continue it in the next session of the Legislature? If he does, this is a legitimate issue for Republicans to debate in his primary. Does it serve Republican voters who want lower taxes and less government spending – if Morgan continues his coalition with Jim Black? If Morgan thinks the answer is yes he should say so and defend his stand.
Then voters can decide if they agree with him and reelect him or, if they don’t, they can vote him out of office.
Update on Morgan
Earlier this year, the State Republican Party voted to oppose Republican State Representative Richard Morgan in his primary – because of Morgan’s support of Democratic House Speaker Jim Black.
Now, filings closed, Morgan has one opponent in the primary, and State GOP Director, Bill Peaslee, says, “From our perspective, there’s one Republican in that race and somebody who works with Democrats even though he may be registered Republican.”
Morgan, who has $710,000 in his campaign account, retorts, if the State GOP wants to defeat him and his allies, “They’d best be prepared to spend a lot of money.”
There’s also a primary between Morgan’s ally, Julia Howard, and Morgan opponent (and former legislator) Frank Mitchell.
Ms. Howard has filed a complaint against Mitchell, saying for years he has lived in a home that is not in her district and, therefore, is not qualified to run against her. Mitchell says he is qualified because he now lives in a mobile home inside Howard’s district. Howard asks, “Why would he move out of a $300,000 home into a mobile home?”
She has a point.
But the larger point in all this is Morgan’s four year alliance with Democratic House Speaker Jim Black. The alliance began in 2001 when Democrats and Republicans each had sixty votes in the State House. A deadlock. Eventually, after seven ballots, Morgan and Black broke the deadlock by running as a tandem and serving as Co-Speakers.
Democrats won a majority in the House two years later and Black was elected Speaker alone – but he and Morgan continued their alliance with Morgan being elected to the number two position, serving as – sort of – Vice-Speaker of the House for Jim Black.
What Morgan needs to make clear in this election is if he intends to make his alliance with Black permanent. Does he intend to continue it in the next session of the Legislature? If he does, this is a legitimate issue for Republicans to debate in his primary. Does it serve Republican voters who want lower taxes and less government spending – if Morgan continues his coalition with Jim Black? If Morgan thinks the answer is yes he should say so and defend his stand.
Then voters can decide if they agree with him and reelect him or, if they don’t, they can vote him out of office.