Tim Probst, Democrat challenger hoping to unseat 4 time Republican Senator from Washington State’s 17th Legislative District is showing signs of realizing his chances of doing so are becoming increasingly dismal. Such realization seems to drive Probst to further violate the very “Clean Campaign Pledge” he boasted of signing and previously used to hammer Senator Benton over the head with.
This blog previously showed that Probst is known for such campaign tactics at Where Did Tim Probst’s Pledge of a “Clean Campaign” go?
What has to be desperation on Probst’s part, he seems to know have doubled down on such dirty campaign tactics.
Probst, violating his previous pledge against mudslinging, after declining to meet Senator Benton for an open debate on issues, unless the venue is in his favor, has opened up a “Fact Checking Don Benton” page on his website.
As we have seen previously, when Democrats decide to “fact Check” their opponents, “facts” are likely to be the last thing you will find. Tim Probst so called “Fact Check” page is no different.
The first claim is still trying to make noise over “missed votes” that has been shown ludicrous in past elections as well as at a Washington State Wire article where we read, “In a District Where Bridge Tolls are the Hot Topic, Argument is About Missed Votes.”
The second of the two claims Probst “fact checks” entail drudging up old articles from biased blogs and media that made allegations against Benton over a decade ago. Probst now lifts those long ago allegations for his “fact check” making such allegations today of, “Benton’s Tenure As State Republican Party Chair Ended Over Fiscal Mismanagement And Internal Discord,” “Party Leaders Were ‘Adamant That Benton had Gone too Far and Misused Funds’,” and “Benton Was Accused Of Making A ‘Secret Deal’ To Purchase A Headquarters For The State GOP And Going Forward Even After Being Informed He Lacked The Authority To Do So.”
Of course, the effort is to demean Senator Benton instead of actually address important issues affecting Southwest Washington and the 17th District and as written, appears to be pretty dire. Makes one wonder just how Senator Benton has been easily reelected 3 times, doesn’t it?
In his haste to sling mud in his “fact checking,” perhaps Probst should have actually asked some of those involved with Benton over a decade ago that he relies on in his baseless attacks.
Senator Benton issued a press release September 26, 2012 titled “Representative Probst is either ignorant, a liar or both.” Benton, unlike Probst, did speak with those he was involved with and in the press release, gave their comments on Probst’s “facts.”
Chris Vance, who succeeded Senator Benton as Party Chair and whose name Probst leans heavily on states,
“I succeeded Don Benton as Republican State Party Chairman. I can say without a doubt that Tim Probst’s statement regarding Don Benton’s tenure as State Republican Chairman is false and misleading.”
Vance continues,
“First, Don Benton did not resign. By a narrow margin, The Republican State Committee elected me instead of Don in January, 2001, at the normal end of his term. Second, while there were disagreements about how Don spent Party funds, there were never any accusations of ‘fiscal mismanagement,’ during his term as Chairman. Under Don’s leadership the Party was never fined or reprimanded by the Public Disclosure Commission or the Federal Elections Commission, they received a clean internal audit, and there was ample cash in the bank when Don left and I took office. Tim Probst should retract his blatantly false accusation.”
Much of the allegations Probst relied on come from both the Seattle Times and our own local unofficial daily newsletter for the Democrat Party, the Columbian. Both are known to push the envelope a bit in regards to how they cover Republicans, especially a conservative firebrand like Senator Don Benton who remains one of the most effective obstacles to the liberal agenda, in spite of being in the minority.
Objectivity or fairness will not be seen in either when it comes to Senator Benton, in part due to his hard work on behalf of citizens and taxpayers in regards to the Columbia River Crossing Project.
Taking it one step further, Senator Benton included statements from current Washington State Republican Party Chairman, Kirby Wilbur.
Wilbur said to Senator Benton,
“I understand your opponent has been lying about you. Let me set the record straight. You were never forced to resign as party chairman. You lost reelection at our regularly-scheduled reorganization meeting in January, 2001. The issues involved were legitimate policy differences and the state committee saw fit to vote for Chris. No one ever challenged, at least from what I heard, and I was there, your integrity, your ethics, your credentials or your abilities. You left Chris with a fairly healthy party, due to your success at fundraising and your prudent financial practices as Chairman. During your watch, the Party was never fined nor reprimanded by any state agency.”
Wilbur concluded with, “Representative Probst is either ignorant, a liar or both,” as he proceeded to thank Sen. Benton for his “hard work and dedication to his constituents.”
Once again, Tim Probst shows what really lies behind that boyish face of his, dishonesty. The very people Probst relied on to slander Senator Benton publicly have come forward labeling Probst a “Liar.”
We in Southwest Washington have several issues of importance facing us that could likely affect our livelihood, families and standard of living. Senator Benton’s record shows he sides with citizens and taxpayers in maintaining a decent standard for us and raise our families.
Tim Probst shows only desperation and obvious lies in his hopes to climb the political ladder, likely for his own personal gain as some bills he has proposed while a representative, appear they might have benefited a company he owned.
He has shown little interest in addressing those difficult issues facing us while he hopes his prevarication and disinformation will propel him into office.
While Probst should retract his shameful allegations and issue a public apology, it is unlikely he will. He has shown himself not to be a person of such integrity and honesty and must not be rewarded for such underhanded, dishonest tactics by being sent to the State Senate.
