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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2008 Diamond Challenges Incumbent On Issues Russ Diamond, Republican candidate in the 101st legislative district, has challenged Mauree Gingrich to discuss the issues via a certified letter made public today. The letter was written in response to the incumbent's recent claims that Diamond has been trying to avoid the issues by bringing attention to Gingrich's nominating petition problems. "Over the last four weeks you have made numerous remarks in the media regarding your desire for me to address 'the issues'," Diamond's letter stated. "Although I believe integrity is the Number One issue in this race, I am more than willing to discuss any other state government issue you believe is important to the people of the 101st legislative district." The letter suggested several issues as topics for discussion, beginning with Gingrich being the only state legislator from Lebanon County taking unconstitutional, taxpayer-funded pension and health care perks. Diamond has pledged to only accept the salary and mileage allowed by Article II Section 8 of the PA Constitution. Diamond included education issues, a constitutional convention, redistricting reforms, merit selection of judges and property tax relief as possible subject matter. He also stated his willingness to discuss any other state government issue the incumbent feels is important to the people of the 101st district. The letter offered the incumbent the choice of method, date and place of any such discussion and recalled Diamond's open challenge in 2004 to Gingrich to three separate debates on the issues, which went unanswered. "Mrs. Gingrich has attempted to deflect her very serious petition problems by accusing me of avoiding the issues," Diamond said. "I'm more than willing to discuss any state government issue she'd like to talk about - any forum, any time, any place." Gingrich has accepted an offer by WGAL-TV (Channel 8) to participate in a 101st District candidate's forum, but that forum will only dedicate approximately 10 minutes of time to the issues, hardly a comprehensive discussion, according to Diamond. Diamond's letter to Gingrich is posted at http://www.russdiamond.org/mgletter.html. The Republican primary will be held on April 22nd. ### |
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