Burnt Orange Report

Jake Gilbreath Campaign Update

By Byron LaMasters

I spoke with Texas State Rep candidate Jake Gilbreath recently, and asked him to send me a campaign update when he had the chance. He emailed me with one earlier today, so here's the latest:

Campaign Update:

Is there any more evidence needed that Democrats should always have a candidate in every race? Rep. Jim Pitts has not been challenged by a Democrat since 1992. As a result he’s been allowed to sit back, ignore the District, and not be held accountable for his actions.

So now that he has a challenger, what is Mr. Pitts’ response? Refuse to debate and rely on thousands and thousands of dollars in advertisement to ensure his re-election. Mr. Pitts has plastered Ellis County with yard signs and 4x4 signs. On top of that, he has taken out billboard signs, including one off 1-35, and bought out multiple advertisements. I expect him to send out at least two mailings as well.

But what about the debate? I challenged Mr. Pitts to an open discussion of the issues some two weeks ago. I have yet to receive a response. Why is it that Mr. Pitts can spend thousands and thousands of dollars on advertisement, but he’s afraid to debate? Now I’m not saying that I’m not a qualified candidate, but let’s think about it. I am a 21 year old college student. Mr. Pitts is a practicing lawyer in his 50s with 12 years in the Texas Legislature under his belt. And he’s afraid to debate me? If that doesn’t say something about his record, I don’t know what does.

In the end, I openly admit that I am ready to lose this election. But politics shouldn’t be about winning and losing. It should be about standing up for what you believe in. The Democrats have a candidate, we have a fight, and we’re going to have a showing. That’s an improvement. The goal for all of us should be to continue on with our upward movement until soon, very soon, we see Texas turn blue once again! Keep up the good fight!

Democratically,
Jake Gilbreath

Learn more about Jake here and send him a few bucks if you have the chance.