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* SJ-R…
A debate planned for Monday night featuring the candidates running in the 50th district state Senate Republican primary has been canceled.
Challenger Bryce Benton’s campaign notified The State Journal-Register on Sunday afternoon that Benton would be unable to participate in the Monday night event, which was to take place at the SJ-R building.
Benton is out of state because of a family member’s serious illness, spokesman Aaron DeGroot said.
Benton is challenging incumbent state Sen. Sam McCann, R-Plainview.
* This doesn’t appear to be a ploy by Benton. Click here to see why. His dad just had a double lung transplant. He was discharged from the hospital over the weekend, but I’m told the recovery is not going well. The Benton campaign says the candidate will reschedule the debate.
So, please, take it easy in comments. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:31 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Dad coming home from a double lung bypass vs a State Senate seat? Dad - every time.
Comment by Century Club Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:34 am
Best wishes for a speedy recovery of Benton’s father.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:34 am
I wish the SJ-R had done more to explain the situation. They left it seeming like it was a convenient excuse. As a result, the social media responses were over-the-top.
I hope Bryce’s dad is doing okay and I hope both sides cool off for a couple of days. This race is definitely in need of a break/breather.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:37 am
As someone his age, opposite political affiliation, wish Benton family the best. And he chose family over everything else. I do commend him.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:39 am
Many of us have been there. Family first. Always.
Comment by MSIX Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:42 am
Putting family first is an admirable trait. Best wishes for his father’s recovery.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:44 am
Wow, okay that’s totally not good. My prayers for Benton’s father. As much as I want McCann to win, I really hate it when something happens like this. It kind of brings it home doesn’t it. Life is fragile.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:46 am
Saw emphysema up close in my family. Terrible disease.
Praying for a good outcome.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:47 am
Family first.
Period.
End of story.
You make any hay out of this, beyond bad firm, it would be tasteless.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:48 am
Prayers for Benton, his father & his family for a speedy recovery
Maybe SJ-R could ask his paymasters — $uper$tar, Proft et al — to stand-in
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:49 am
Exactly why I go to you first, Rich. My thoughts are with Mr. Benton and his family.
Comment by Threepwood Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:51 am
Good choice on Benton’s part. I do agree the SJ-R story could have been a little more upfront about the seriousness of the issue.
Comment by illini97 Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:51 am
Yes, family should always be #1.
Comment by Mama Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:55 am
Yes, let’s have a debate between Dan Proft and whichever labor leader is most itching to take him on. That would be far more enlightening (and entertaining).
Comment by Commander Norton Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:59 am
While I’m no fan of Mr. Benton’s politics, wishing the best for he and his family on his father’s recovery. Never like to hear about things like this. Family comes first. Always.
Comment by Corporate Thug Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:59 am
Regardless,this candidate has not been vetted. We only know he is Rauner’s candidate. I would be doing the whole “best wishes” sing song if the media were doing their jobs instead of not vetting this candidate.
Comment by said so Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:05 am
Said So - you obviously have not read much or any of Bernie Schoenberg’s or Doug Finke’s articles or columns. And the media in the rest of the district is small enough that “vetting” is not realistic. Other than the Jacksonville Journal-Courier and maybe WLDS, most media outlets in the rest of the 50th have minimal staff and limited resources and/or contacts.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:16 am
Said so - the man’s father is apparently fighting for his life, a you can’t bring yourself to do “the whole ‘best wishes’ sing song”….you’re all class, without the cl
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:28 am
==I would be doing the whole “best wishes” sing song==
Some people have no class when it comes to things like this
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:32 am
I support McCann, but my thoughts and prayers are with Benton and his father/family. There will be time to debate later. The place to be is at his father’s side.
Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:34 am
Demoralized - nope, which is why I hate when this stuff gets dragged out on Facebook and why I wish the SJ-R had done a bit more digging. Bryce put info about his dad on his personal Facebook page. Not hard to find.
Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:36 am
@said so - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:05 am:
=I would be doing the whole “best wishes” sing song if the media were doing their jobs instead of not vetting this candidate.=
Really?
Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
Suspect the SJ-R just ran the Benton press release. If it was a case of the paper trying to be “neutral”, it didn’t work in this case. The campaign has been so hard fought people automatically suspect something.
Either the campaign should have been more forthcoming / specific or the SJ-R should have made a phone call and asked if they could be more specific.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:41 am
With no snark whatsoever, I’d say this CF crew has handled this with the compassion it deserves. Save one commenter. There’s always one. Prayers and best wishes to Mr. Benton.
Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:55 am
i’m definitely not a fan of benton and those funding him, but as a guy with a father in recovery after heart bypass surgery, i have nothing but respect for his decision and i hope for a successful recovery.
Comment by obfuscator Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:12 am
=I would be doing the whole “best wishes” sing song if the media were doing their jobs instead of not vetting this candidate.=
You know, there’s a Benton/McCann thread here literally every day where that type of post might be more on-topic (and tasteful).
Comment by Century Club Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:44 pm