Citizens' Voice endorses Madeira in May 18 GOP primary

In the Republican primary in the 10th Congressional District, Dallas business consultant David Madeira represents the GOP’s best chance of denying incumbent Democrat Chris Carney a third term.

Carney, by positioning himself to the right of most of his fellow Democrats and concentrating on bringing federal dollars home, has managed to hold his own in a majority-Republican district. A victory in 2010 could further cement his incumbency.

Each of the Republicans in Tuesday’s race, Madeira, former U.S. Attorney Thomas Marino and Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk, would undoubtedly be more than able to attack Carney for supporting health-care reform and the stimulus bill. All three have condemned those votes and favor a repeal of the health-care legislation.

But in his meeting with the Citizens’ Voice Editorial Board, Madeira proved best able to articulate the conservative positions the three men share and exhibited a more thorough knowledge of the nuances behind the talking points.

Marino’s life story of working his way up from the factory floor to the region’s top federal prosecutor is compelling, but the baggage of his relationship with Dunmore landfill/casino magnate Louis DeNaples would weigh him down in the November campaign.

While he was U.S. Attorney, Marino wrote a letter of recommendation for DeNaples to state gaming regulators even though DeNaples pleaded no contest to defrauding the federal government of more than $500,000 in 1978. DeNaples subsequently had to relinquish control of the casino to family members as part of a deal in which Dauphin County prosecutors dropped a perjury charge.

After leaving federal employment, Marino went straight to work for DeNaples, who paid him $250,000 in 2009. Marino’s ties to DeNaples betray a lack of judgment and disqualify him in our opinion.

Derk maintains an ideological rigidity that could work against his constituents’ interests if he were sent to Washington. As a commissioner, Derk refused requests from the Boscov’s department store chain that the county support a loan to keep the company afloat during a reorganization. Boscov’s, with its record of community involvement and commitment to maintaining its presence in Northeastern Pennsylvania, deserved better.

In this race, Madeira’s strengths, combined with his opponents’ weaknesses, make him the right choice.

http://citizensvoice.com/news/election/endorsement-david-madeira-1.78690...