Burnt Orange Report

State Rep. Jim Pitts Slings Mud

By Byron LaMasters

State Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) is slinging mud in his race against Democrat Jake Gilbreath. Pitts claims that Gilbreath asked him to drop out of the race following the tragic death of his wife, a charge that Gilbreath says is outrageous and false. Here's the article from the Waxahachie Daily Light, and Gilbreath's responses to Pitt's false charges:

The tragic death of his wife, Evelyn, in June at the hands of a suspected drunken driver left family responsibilities solely in his hands. His opponent in the Nov. 2 election, Democrat Jake Gilbreath, asked Pitts to quit the race.

“It would have been very easy to drop out,” Pitts said. “I’m wearing a lot of hats right now.”

But the sense that he has unfinished business in Austin – primarily the overhaul of the state’s system for funding public schools – and the satisfaction he gets from serving his district are powerful motivators. In fact, he calls solving the school-finance issue his “No. 1, 2 and 3 goals."

Jake's response?

The first unfortunate issue I feel the need to address is that I NEVER asked Rep. Pitts to drop out of the race. Such a thing would be grossly insensitive, and it never happened. I hope that Mr. Pitts is just confused on this matter and is not purposefully spreading lies about me. Regardless if it was a misunderstanding or a mistake, Rep. Pitts should apologize for this ridiculous claim and stear clear of negative falsehoods. Again, I never asked Rep. Pitts to drop out of the race, and I'm disappointed that he would make such a claim.

Next issue - young people in politics. Pitts says we should finish college and get a job before we get involved. Gilbreath disagrees. Back to the Waxahachie Daily Light:

Pitts said he finds Gilbreath to be a polite, smart young man, but he also believes the 21-year-old should finish college, get a job, become a taxpayer, and acquire some real-world experience before he runs for office.

“If he were my son, that’s what I would tell him,” Pitts said.

Besides, he said, there’s no way the people of House District 10 would be better served by a newcomer. Twelve years in office has elevated Pitts to senior status in the House, and he has connections that don’t come overnight.

Gosh, maybe Pitts should have a talk with Tom DeLay about the importance of senority in politics, but back to the point here.

Young people have much to contribute in politics. Eighteen year olds are fighting and dying in Iraq. College students have seen our tuition rates go up nearly 30% as politicians like Jim Pitts voted to gut funding for higher education and place the burden on students and middle class families. Graduating college students often have trouble finding good jobs, because so many Republicans are more interested in enacting and preserving tax cuts than they are in creating more opportunities for our generation. But according to Jim Pitts, Jake Gilbreath isn't qualified to be state representative. Here's Gilbreath's response:

The most offensive thing Rep. Pitts claims is that young people should not be involved in politics. He claims that I should "finish college, get a job, become a tax payer and aquire some real world experience" is an insult to all young people. I've worked 70 hour work weeks before, including 15 hour shifts at one job to help pay for my college. And I'm damn sure some of that money was taken away for taxes. I have real world experiences. When I held a little African baby in Equatorial Guinea who was obviously sick and breathing hard, that was a real world experience. When I hugged a mother who's son was off in Iraq, that was a real world experience. When I talked to a man on the phone who had lost his wife of 50 years, that was a real world experience. And when I saw my own classmates sent overseas to defend our nation, that was a real world experience.

I am young. But you know what? There are men and women my age and younger overseas laying their lives on the line for our country. And many of our veterans were my age our younger when they took bullets for our nation. Our country is founded on and defended by the blood and work of young people, and it is an insult that Rep. Pitts believes that there is an age requirement to make a difference in life. I am young, and I'm proud of it. Young people can change the world, and we will if we just get the support and respect we deserve. I wish Rep. Pitts felt the same way about our young people.

I would like for all young Democrats to write a brief letter to the editor of the Waxahachie Daily Light and politely explain to Rep. Pitts that we do matter, and we can make a difference. Please send all letters to:
neal.white@waxahachiedailylight.com - and include your name and city. Thank
you, and keep fighting.

Check out Gilbreath's website and donate.