To the Editor:
Greg Galligan (D), a candidate in the 39th Senate District, has undertaken the improbable task of attempting to dethrone our incumbent, Sen. Jay O'Brien (R). But as insurmountable as this endeavor appeared at the onset, Galligan has accomplished exactly what all the critics (and some in his own party) said was impossible. The following is a list of some of the most strident criticisms leveled against Galligan thus far:
* He can't create name recognition.
* He can't establish an effectual campaign organization.
* He can't get voter support.
* And, ranking as the most prominent of the doubts, he can't raise money.
Well, Galligan has done them all, and done them exceptionally well. His name recognition is skyrocketing. His campaign team is as robust and energetic as any I have seen in my lifetime. He is building coalitions across his district. And, to all those doubters, Galligan has proven to be a tremendous fund-raiser.
We have Galligan, a candidate who is emerging and mobilizing Democratic voters, swing voters, Republican voters, and voters who have never gone to the voting booth. A rising star is emerging from the ashes of a fallen legislator. I urge all voters to look into this race and evaluate the conduct of the incumbent, his accomplishments in office, and his sluggishness in this campaign. Is O'Brien a good man? Unequivocally, yes. He is friendly, humorous, and an upstanding citizen. But as laudable as these characteristics are, they are not sufficient for an effective legislator. I want more from an individual whom I expect to represent my community in Richmond. I look for a candidate with the aforementioned intangibles along with the ability to excel, the innate talent to lead, the communication skills to bargain and coalesce, and the intelligence and awareness to recognize an opportunity and make things happen. It is clear and evident that Galligan is all of these things. He is the change agent; he is the turnkey solution that we have been searching for in our district.
Kuldip Sohal
Springfield