It sounds like Independent candidate Neal Tapio did not want to answer questions at a local debate that he’d already agreed to participate in:
From the Story:
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD — District 5 House candidate Neal Tapio announced Tuesday, about two hours before the event, that he will not participate in tonight’s legislative debate hosted by the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, saying the selection of the event’s moderator compromises the forum’s fairness.
Tapio, a 2021 Watertown Businessman of the Year and former State Senator, said his decision stems from concerns about moderator Lee Schoenbeck’s neutrality, a longtime state legislator and political figure.
and..
Tapio also criticized the Chamber’s selection process, saying Schoenbeck’s role as moderator…
“is a stain on the reputation of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and is unfair for the voters of Watertown.”
Tapio, who is running as an Independent, said his decision reflects broader concerns about political leadership and party dynamics.
“I am a lifelong Republican who believes strongly in hard work, sacrifice, merit, faith and family,” Tapio said. “The very reason I am running as an Independent is because too many in the Republican (and Democrat) Party leadership are not guided by ethical behavior and a simple belief in right and wrong.”
Basically, he’s the only politician in the world who meets the standards in his head, so that’s why he’s running as an independent, and can’t handle questions posed to him that everyone else at the podium is going to answer.
This is the same person who, last time he ran, started yelling at faith leaders, and said he’d get elected to Congress if terrorists attacked America.
If he was elected, would he run away and leave the Capitol anytime someone disagrees with him? (We had one of those already, and we got rid of him.)
Neal, if you can’t stand the heat, don’t try to push your way into the kitchen.
NUT BAG!!
Is Shadra, Shandie or whatever managing Neal’s campaign again?