From the Inbox:
Racist Taunts Will Not Stop Me
As I prepare for Day Two of Early Voting today, I want to reflect briefly on what an incredible day yesterday was for me and my campaign both positively and negatively.
First, after more than a year of beating the streets, talking to the Constituents of District 150, and working tirelessly with my staff daily, the reality of becoming Your next state representative began coming into focus. Meeting all the voters, talking with Tony Noun supporters and listening to you tell me how excited you are about the next step we’re taking as a District warms my heart.
Conversely, as incredible as you all made me feel yesterday, my opponent’s antics on Tuesday morning solidified why it’s time for this District and her to part ways.
All campaign long, the 12-year incumbent has talked about “candidates getting ugly” and “running a respectable campaign,” which despite what the incumbent will tell you, my staff and I have run a very fine campaign and the good folks of District 150 have intimated as much to me and my staff yesterday and throughout the last few months.
Tuesday took a much different turn however, and when the incumbent – both she and I were at the Champion Life Centre at 3031 FM 2920 – approached a member of my staff who was placing signs at the location and began yelling at him, I walked over to diffuse the situation.
What ensued sickens me.
I politely said, “Mrs. Riddle,” to which she replied “Don’t talk to me, you think you’re in the Middle East. You don’t put signs up like that in America.”
Stunned, although not necessarily surprised, she continued her insensitive remarks, “You’re a thief and a crook running for state rep. You need to go back to your country and run a campaign. You can’t put signs up like that in America.”
Thankfully her husband came over and grabbed her and took her away before she could make any more inflammatory and racist statements.
What the incumbent doesn’t understand and won’t accept, my American Dream started 28 years ago, not with the start of my campaign. I’m disgusted by her remarks. I’ve worked hard every day of my life to make a better life for me and my family. Now, I want to give back to the District that has given me and my family so much.
Also, this is now the second time the incumbent has attacked me personally. Three weeks ago she insulted my Christian Faith by alleging that I wasn’t actually Christian.
I knew politics wasn’t for the faint of heart, but what happened yesterday saddens me. Given what she said and how she’s acted, one of my initial thoughts was, “this is the person representing us in Austin?”
Does she talk like this to everyone she doesn’t like?
With the kind of mentality she’s displayed and her insidious remarks, the incumbent’s behavior yesterday was unacceptable and most importantly – unbecoming of a public servant. I’ve been telling you all along you deserve better, and after what I endured yesterday, March 4 can’t come fast enough.
I will not be deterred as I’ve said before, and my staff and I stand resolute in the job we’ve done to this point.
I Love the United States, I love Texas and I love District 150.
Nasty and despicable accusations from my opponent won’t dampen my spirit and I look forward to seeing all of you during the Early Voting Period. We’ve worked too hard to let nonsense slow us down.
We Deserve Better. You Deserve Better.
God Bless.
Respectfully,
Tony Noun
Wow. I did try to reach Rep. Debbie Riddle but was unsuccessful.