I had a very interesting e-mail conversation with a reader (I'll leave it up to them to announce themselves) about the GOP candidates in District 13. He noted that despite Ed Priola's "sweat and boot-leather," for them to have their best chance, they need to run as a three candidate slate. Before any of the District 13 candidates start counting out the other candidates on their fingers, there are four of you.
There will be a primary in September (my birthday) at which time the fourth candidate will get bumped. The question is whether it may be worthwhile for the candidates to discuss joining forces now. We already have a slate on the Dem side with Turner/PenderBAM/Guzzone and another one in District 9A with Bates/Miller. It seems the challengers shy away from slates, probably because they are mostly strangers. I know that Jeff Robinson and Ed Priola were both at J'Neanne's event last night. Maybe that's your three right there.
I'm not sure where I stand on this, since I normally see independent voters, such that there are in District 13, as breakfast buffet diners. They take a little of this and a little of that, but they don't fill their entire plate with sausage. In that respect, slates are dangerous. But the person I was chatting with lives in District 13 and knows a great deal about his community. I think the candidates should give it some serious thought before it is September 15th, and all of their money is spent before the home stretch.
