I'm NOT Voting for Tom Swiss

Bottom line:  Punch Derek Smith's number tomorrow.  It is the only way voters in the 10th District will have a choice between a Democrat (who won't be Derek Smith -- see below) and a Republican in November.

So, here it is.  Tomorrow is the primary.  Tom Swiss, a republican is facing off against Derek Smith, sitting appointee who has been indicted on bribery charges.  Not a great choice.  In a perfect world, there'd be a better choice. This race gives new meaning to the "lesser of two evils."  So, who do you choose?

Well, I'm not choosing either.  But I'm not abstaining. Here's how to look at this race:

Derek Smith, even if he wins the primary isn't going to be our next state representative.  For as much support as he's getting now, that would evaporate if he's still on the ballot come November.

Tom Swiss, if he wins tomorrow, will guarantee that the electorate has a choice between a republican and a republican in November.  As has been documented here endlessly, Tom Swiss, no matter what he calls himself, is a Republican.

There is a third way.  And, its the most likely way.  The Democratic Party (or a subset of its saner members) will recruit someone to run as an independent or a write in and that candidate will be fully supported in November, not Derek Smith. The election rules permit third party candidates to file paperwork to be on November's ballot and allow write ins to be included. Under such scenarios (likely, in my opinion) in November, the voters of the 10th district will then have a choice between a Democrat (running as an independent or write in) and a Republican and can decide on the merits of the respective candidates. Derek Smith can be ignored.

If this DOESN'T happen, I'll be happy to congratulate tomorrow's victorious Republican Primary candidate (one running as a Republican in that primary, not Tom Swiss, posing as a Democrat).

So, I'm going to punch Derek Smith's number tomorrow.  I'm telling myself it isn't a vote "for" him, its just a vote against Swiss.  It is purely strategic, to ensure that the voters have a clear choice in November.