Congressional Candidate Rebekah Davis Visits Harrison
On Monday evening, September 13, the Harrison House Hotel restaurant was filled to near capacity with Democrats, Republicans and Independents welcoming Nebraska’s 3rd congressional district Democratic candidate, Rebekah Davis, to Sioux County.
Rebekah Davis is a native of the Nebraska Panhandle, being born and raised in Alliance. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University before graduating from Yale Divinity School. She is currently employed as a Hospital Chaplin serving the Alliance community.
In her opening remarks, Davis reminded the group of her initial campaign pledges. One, to spend meaningful time in each of the sixty-nine counties of the district, which she had done by the primary election in May and is currently on her second tour. And two, not to take any money from special interest groups, which she has not. “That to me, is the biggest difference between me and the person who currently holds this office.”, she said. “As a member of congress, your job is to represent the district. Not just a political party. Not just a special interest group, but the people of the district.”
Ms. Davis described growing up in a household of both Democrats and Republicans and how that experience shaped her views in this campaign. “Our country will only move forward when the two parties are talking to each other.”, she said. “We need good people on both sides of the aisle. If elected, I am excited about the prospects of building relationships with Republican and Democratic colleagues.” Some have described Rebekah Davis as a “young” Virginia Smith, possessing the same spirit of bipartisanship that Rep. Virginia Smith took to Washington, D.C.
On the issues, Davis describes herself as being pro-life and says she “fully supports the second amendment.” On immigration Davis believes that “it takes legislators with the backbone to say that we have a systemic problem that requires a systemic approach. That the ‘band aids’ we have used in the past have not begun to address the problem.”
Thus far Davis’ opponent, Adrian Smith, has refused to engage in a debate with her, despite six invitations from various neutral, civic and university groups. “If a person is comfortable enough in their own skin to seek reelection, then they should be comfortable enough to debate their challengers.”, she said. “It has been a big disappointment not only to me, but to the voters.”
For more information on this remarkable candidate and her stand on other issues please visit
www.rebekahdavis.com .Debbie Courtney, Secretary of the Sioux County Democratic Party
A Republican Responds
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Saturday, October 2, 2010
Star-Herald
“Letters”
Support for Adrian Smith
To the Editor:
In the letter concerning the Democratic candidate for Nebraska’s Third Congressional District, Debby Caertney (Secretary of Sioux County Democratic Party) left out numerous important points. She fails to note that even if Ms. Davis is pro-life and pro-second amendment, her first vote, if elected, would be to continue Nancy Pelosi’s agenda, which is decidedly pro-abortion and anti-gun.
This is the same party that gave us government-run health care, which Davis supports.
Ms. Davis also fails to point out that Adrian Smith has agreed to three debate/candidates forums, far more than the Governor’s race or secretary of state’s race.
The facts are clear---Adrian Smith is the candidate for those of us concerned with the direction of our country, he has worked for rural communities, is responsive, and cares about how his constituents want him to vote.
For the real story, I encourage everyone to visit his website (website name omitted) or on Face book (face book name omitted.)
The bottom line, get out and vote in this most important election.
Jacqueline Herren
Co-chair Sioux County Republican Party
Harrison
My response as published in the Star Herald 10-6
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When I read the letter to the editor by Jacqueline Herren in the Oct. 2nd issue of the Star Herald , my first response was laughter (especially at the way my name was spelled). I was going to ignore the whole thing, sparing your readers the possibility of an ensuing “cat fight”, but I felt there were too many inaccuracies to ignore.
Let me be clear, I did not write a letter to the editor of any newspaper in support of any candidate. What I did was write an article on a local event that took place in Harrison which was published in two local newspapers - the Harrison Sun and the Mitchell Index. (Original article at
www.siouxcountydems.org ) This was not an opinion piece. It was a straight forward - here is what happened and here is what was said - type of article.The event was a Town Hall meeting with Rebekah Davis held in Harrison on Sept. 13th. There was never a mention of the Speaker of the House during the event so why would Ms. Herren expect me to write something about her? I didn’t write anything about John Boehner either. Was that an omission, as well?
As to the issue of the debates, Ms. Herren would have you believe that at the time of the event, Adrian Smith had agreed to three debates. Not True! As I wrote in the article, “Thus far Davis’ opponent, Adrian Smith, has refused to engage in a debate with her, despite six invitations from various neutral, civic and university groups.” And that is a fact. It was later announced that he had agreed to ONE debate to take place in Broken Bow on Oct. 22nd. To date (10-6-10) there are no other debates/joint forums that he has committed to.
Ms. Herren, a simple “google” search on your computer will reveal some other interesting facts about Smith. Like the fact that the majority of his campaign contributions come from PAC’s and special interests he is beholding to when he votes on legislation. Or the fact that Smith is nothing more than a rank and file Republican whose main interest is to be a career politician. As he said while fundraising in Virginia in 2006, “I want to get elected and stay there until retirement.”
Yes, the bottom line is to get out and vote but please be an informed voter.
Debbie Courtney
aka Debby Caertney
250 S 7 Road
Morrill, NE 69358
308-247-2475
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To the editor for clarification and not for publication.
In reference to the sentence that starts “Or the fact that Smith is nothing more than a rank and file Republican…” - This may sound to you like it is opinion, however an independent group that tracks the voting history of members of congress assigns this label and others based upon statistical patterns of bill sponsorship regardless of party affiliation or bill content. It can be found at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=412217
Please do not edit.
(Published in the Harrison Sun and Mitchell Index)