Jeff Bohen LevittownNow.com
Kevin Strouse was chosen by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to be their candidate to take on Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick in November. He was also chosen by the Democratic voters in the 8th Congressional District Tuesday.
Shaughnessy Naughton, however, had a different plan and nearly derailed Strouse’s path to November.
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In the end, Strouse the former Army Ranger pulled out the win by 656 votes.
Strouse was able to exhale just shortly after 11 p.m. when Naughton called him to concede.
The campaign between to the two candidates intensified over the last week with each making accusations on a number of issues.
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“It’s been one hell of a fight and she ran a hell of a race. I certainly appreciate her dignity in actually calling me and conceding. It takes a lot to do that,” Strouse said of Naughton.
“Look, this was the first part of the fight. This was certainly a little closer then I would’ve liked … I’ve never taken the easy route in anything I’ve ever done. In the last few weeks we’ve either knocked or made over 6000 phone calls, raised money, spent most of it and I want to thank everyone. We had a good plan and executed it and we needed every single person that’s helped,” said Strouse.
Jeff Bohen LevittownNow.com
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On facing Fitzpatrick Strouse said: ” First thing is tomorrow we all have to come together and start working together throughout this” district.
“Remember…Remember one thing,” he said. “Our values, the values or every person here are American values. Those are the values of the vast majority of people, whether you’re a Democrat, Independent, or a vast majoity of Republicans that’s where they stand for. Where everyone has access to quality affordable education. Where everyone in this county has equal chance to succeed just like my family did from very modest means..if we carry that message we will win,” Strouse said.
Throughout the evening emotions crested and ebbed on both sides as numbers came in. Both candidates operated campaign offices near each other in Bristol Borough.
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One thing is certain Wednesday morning – ;ocal chiropractors will be busy from all the heads looking down at mobile devices checking and rechecking results as they came in.
Attempts to reach the Naughton campaign for comment were unsuccessful.
