Buying Votes … With Gas
Here’s one way to try to get elected: Lower the gas price—yourself.
That’s what millionaire businessman Jack Davis did yesterday in Greece, Monroe County, as he campaigns for the 26th Congressional District seat currently held by retiring Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-Clarence, Erie County.
Customers waited in line for two hours to get gas at $1.50 a gallon. Davis, a Democrat, paid the rest of the $4.29 per gallon, or about $27,900, from noon to 4 p.m., according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
“We are here because I believe gasoline should help America run; gas prices should not be running America,” Davis said. “This (day) exceeded my expectations.”
His Democratic opponent, Jon Powers, was not too thrilled with the idea. Powers and Davis, who dumped millions into two losing races against Reynolds in 2004 and2006, are vying for the party’s nod in September.
“Jack Davis is using an election year gimmick to try and buy votes one gas tank at a time. He claims he has no intention of buying this election but today his hypocrisy proved otherwise,” Powers said. “With up to $35 million in Big Oil and energy interests, Jack Davis has every incentive to help Big Oil’s bottom line. He is more beholden to oil companies than the voters he is trying to buy off.”
| 
Email This
Advertisements
While I can agree with Powers that we should be looking more into ways to bring the prices down by using less, you’ve gotta admit that this has gotta get more voters’ attention than any number of palm cards, lawn signs, or ads.
yes wahoo..but you could also argue that since he is
a candidate he is giving something of value in an attempt
to buy votes….ie he is lowering the price of gas which
is a financial benefit to those who buy it..that may
or may not be an election law violation
Wahoo??!!
sorry walt..I saw a W and wasn’t focusing…
Davis really cares about this district. He is the one candidate who will be responsible to the voters and not special interest… Powers owes special interest more than Davis will be able to deliver to the district… Vote Davis, he cares!
Davis has lost twice trying to win this seat. He is more caricature than candidate. He never went out to meet the voters in the other two attempts—in fact this gas gimmick is the first time I’ve heard of him out and about this election year. The people in the 26th deserve more than an eccentric millionaire trying to buy himself a seat in Congress. Powers has been out every day for more than a year reaching out to voters. He has built a grassroots campaign across all seven counties in the district. Powers can win this seat—Davis cannot.