Harrisburg - Banks to run As Republican In Bid For Re-election

[paineinthearse]

Source: http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=5242

Banks to run As Republican In Bid For Re-election

From The Patriot-News
By John Luciew
March 3, 2005

It's not exactly Ronald Reagan turning Republican in the 1960s or Democrat Zell Miller speaking at last year's GOP convention. But first-term Harrisburg city Councilman Otto Banks' announcement yesterday that he's switching parties to run for re-election as a Republican could shake up the city's Democrats-dominated politics. "I'm choosing a different path," Banks, 34, said. "I choose the path of Lincoln."

Banks, the top vote-getter four years ago, is virtually assured of one of the four Republican nominations for seats on the seven-member council. ... By contrast, the Democratic side could be a crowded field of 20 or more candidates, all vying for just four party nods in the May 17 primary.

Banks, who huddled with both state and national GOP leaders before making the switch, has been assured of financial backing and other support for his campaign. ... For the Republicans, it's a chance to prove that GOP candidates are viable in the city, while increasing the party's standing with minority voters in urban areas. ...

For Harrisburg, Banks said that by opening the door to a Republican, the city will be in line for more support, resources and aid from the national level on down. "They said give them an opportunity and they'll give us options," Banks said of party leaders. He added that the city's tradition of shutting out what he sees as the nation's majority party is no longer wise. ...

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[coloradodem2005]

1. Yeah.

The path of Lincoln is exactly what following Bush is.