Many, many thanks to Jerry Fuhrman (From On High) for mentioning the 22nd District State Senate primary race between incumbent Republican J. Brandon Bell and Ralph Smith. Otherwise, I might never have noticed this (Roanoke Times):
Smith has focused his campaign largely on taxes. He’s accused incumbent Bell of being a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) who portrays himself as a fiscal conservative in election years but who votes for tax increases the rest of the time.
“The guy is so deceiving,” Smith said. “Every piece of material he sends out tags him as a conservative fighting for your taxes. The guy did no such thing.”
While it’s true that Bell did vote for a 2006 transportation bill that, had it passed, would have raised the sales tax on wholesale gasoline . . .
Indeed, Bell did vote for the 2006 would-be-tax hike; this was one of the votes that led many in the 24th District to seek an alternative to Emmett Hanger.
Thus, Senator Bell must be retired, and I’m happy to join Jerry in supporting Ralph Smith for Senate. He takes his place in the hallowed right-hand column of this blog.
I’m glad you helped expose Brandon Bell’s ruse as a “conservative.” Ralph Smith is the man who truly brings conservative values and principles to leadership. Vote Ralph Smith in the 22nd senate district on June 12!