Looks like Democrats feel their years long bashing of Republican State Senator Don Benton, with the willing assistance of the Columbian, is ready for the pay off, with Democrat Representative Tim Probst announcing a run against Benton.
While there are no guarantees in politics, Benton has a strong record of holding his seat, which may come as a surprise to 49th district Rep. Jim Moeller who chimed in,
“Benton won by only 1% (I’m sure you will look it up and give us the official figure, Lew) last time against a complete unknown and untested candidate! Take the senate seat of the 17th back from the Republicans!”
I felt no need to give exact numbers to Jim in the Columbian comments, in part because I hate to see a grown man cry. But, his assessment of the results are a tad low. In four elections for the Senate and one for the House, Don Benton won with,
2008 Senate
Don Benton 29,426 51.08% 29,426
David Carrier 28,111 48.80% 28,111Difference of 2.28% 1,315 votes
2004 Senate
Paul Waadevig 23,193 43.96%
Don Benton 29,563 56.04%Difference of 12.08% 6,370 votes
2000 Senate
Lou Peterson 26028 46.9%
Don Benton 29436 53.1%Difference of 6.2% 3,435 Votes
1996 Senate
Shirley A. Galloway 23,513 49.04%
Don Benton 24,430 50.96%Difference of 1.92% 917 Votes
1994 House
Jim Davis 14,099 44.07%
Don Benton 17,893 55.93%Difference of 11.86% 3,794 Votes
It should be noticed that the results were much closer in the 1996 election than in the 2008 and Benton came back in 2000 and 2004 to almost landslide victories. The state was in a much better economic position in 1996 as well.
Voters in the 17th have repeatedly preferred the Republican Benton over challengers.
Probst enjoyed some nice margins in his wins in 2008 and 2010, but neither time was he up against a seasoned campaigner and entrenched incumbent.
We also see voters waking up to how Democrats have steadily guided our economy into despair and in spite of his call of opposing spending increases, many bills proposed by Probst would increase spending or divert it from elsewhere.
Benton, on the other hand, has maintained a strong consistent stand on fighting tax and spending increases.
As I said, there are no guarantees in elections, but it is obvious Probst will not see the cake walk Jim Moeller thinks he will.
