This year across the Nation and in the Statehouse we have seen attacks on the Labor movement by Republicans. Yesterday Deborah Swank, a city councilwoman in Topeka, launched a negative campaign against her Labor backed Democratic opponent Chad Manspeaker.
Why is this a big deal? Because Deborah Swank's letters and radio ads attack Chad Manspeaker for his work in the Labor movement. Deborah Swank attacks Chad Manspeaker for standing up for working families daily. WTF?!?
Deborah Swank you're just another back room deal making, shady politician who cares more about lining your own pockets than standing up for working families or the constituents of your district.
So let's take a second to set the record straight.
Lie: Deborah Swank says Chad Manspeaker has only lived in Topeka for 3 years.
Truth: Chad Manspeaker was born in Topeka, attended K through 12 in USD 501 schools, graduated from Washburn University and is raising his 2 daughters here right across the street from his wife's childhood home, where her parents and 92 year old grandmother still live today.
Lie: Deborah Swank says Chad Manspeaker is a bully.
Truth: Chad Manspeaker stands up for working families daily, he's been a staple in Democratic politics for many years and cares more about making district 6 and all of Topeka a better place for his children to grow up.
Lie: Deborah Swank says she has successfully worked with the City and Council in a partnership with the Community to guide Topeka in new directions; directions that will attract new business and improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.
Truth: Deborah Swank was instrumental in bringing the College Hill development project to district 6. A project where the entire 24,000 square feet in retail space remains empty, and not a single townhouse out of the 25 constructed in the College Hill Redevelopment Plan have been sold, despite the fact that Councilwoman Swank herself served as a co-listing real estate agent on behalf of the Washburn Lane Renovations LLC sellers.
That's right, Councilwoman Swank directly lined her own pockets with taxpayer money on a failed construction project that she was instrumental in bringing to the district.
Deborah Swank is not only antilabor, she is a liar. In Deborah Swank's latest letter she urges voters to call her. Well I agree, call councilwoman Swank at (785) 845-4115 and tell her to stop lying and stop lining her pockets with taxpayer dollars.
Chad Manspeaker is running because he believes Topeka can do better, Chad believes that the city government must be honest with itself and the city taxpayers and he has received so much support for working families because of the work he has done on their behalf for many years. Chad believes that we must do more to demand transparency in government in order to increase accountability, stop the backroom deals and make Topeka as a whole a better place.
Today is the finance report deadline for the race, help Chad get a strong showing by donating to his campaign and show Mrs. Swank that standing up for working families is nothing to be ashamed of.