Michael Beyer |
Both campaigns have created spoof sites to lampoon the other. There's BeyerProof and JustinSimmonsHorrorStories.
Good fun. But this goes a bot beyond the usual attacks.
Using pseudonyms Elizabeth Bennett and Ha Ireton, they recently began posting messages on Simmons' Facebook page. They smear one of his friends as a murderer. Then they accuse Simmons of being gay.
Justin Simmons |
One of Simmons' volunteers and a friend, Mark Sterner, killed three of his fraternity brothers, his best friends, in a Florida drunk driving crash about twenty years ago. In just three months, they were to graduate. Sterner spent three years in a Florida maximum security jail. Since his release, he has given lectures to over two million college and high school students, repeating his story. He does not preach. "You're old enough to make your decisions," he tells them. "I do this so you never have to bury one of your brothers."
Instead of deleting this attack, Simmons confronted it. "I'm proud to have Mark Sterner on my campaign. He made a mistake years ago and now tries to make a difference in kids' lives everyday. If you were actually involved in our community you would know that like everyone else."
I happen to know Mark myself, and consider his the most gifted political strategist in the Lehigh Valley, next to Shawn Millan. But he does not work in politics.
Gay bashing
After attacking this Simmons' volunteer, they go on to accuse Simmons of being gay, even claiming that he has some sort of relationship with a State Senator.
Simmons' sexual orientation is irrelevant, but he addresses the accusation. "I'm happily married to my wife Erica for almost 3 years now. I find it truly hypocritical that a campaign that supposedly supports equality in the LGBT community is using that as a weapon against Republicans."
Simmons is correct. Democrats stand for tolerance of sexual orientation, as well as giving a second chance to someone who has paid his debt to society. Like Beyer, these folks aren't true Democrats.
They're haters.
I have vascillated between which one to vote for. I voted for mom Beyer on the school board, but then watchec horrifically from the sidelines. I couldn't vote for simmons in the primary as I'm a democrat, but uncouraged Republican friends to do so. Then each time, I wanted to vote for Simmons opponent, I couldn't, because mom Beyer was involved again, and again, and now again.
ReplyDeleteSimmons final straw, for me, was last week when he announced that he is revisiting her first campaign promise to only serve 3 terms. Bam! Now I'm voting for mike beyer.
Now, my democratic representative is spreading rumors about someone's sexuality as a campaign strategy? What are we in saucon valley or southern lehigh school district, where I'm sure each side has already been secretly sexting each other to get a dick pic in order to pass out at the polls. Sorry, boys ( and I mean that in every sense of the word), this time, I'm abstaining from voting in this race. Side note: good luck tomorrow, clay aiken, alison lundergan grimes, and tom wolf.
BO hypocrite...you and you posse did the same gay bashing not long ago with 2 members of NCRC
ReplyDeleteJesus, can you ever post anything that has to do with the real issues that concern the average PA voter? Reading your blog is akin to reading the National Enquirer!
ReplyDelete"They go on to accuse Simmons of being gay." Who is "they" and can you prove it? Show us where "they" do this. Someone should have to back up their accusations once in a while.
ReplyDeleteClay Aiken?
ReplyDeleteHa ha.
Good luck with that race.
Beyer supporters used pseudonyms to disguise their identity. It is pretty obvious.
ReplyDeleteBeyer is a joke. This district is no longer competitive in a general election. It is a Republican gerrymander. Let hope Simmons is challenged in his next primary when he breaks his term limits pledge.
ReplyDelete*If* he breaks his term limit pledge.
ReplyDeleteMichael Beyer has donated $6,000 to his own campaign this year. Recently he made a $5,000 contribution. Where did this money come from??? Does he have a job that nobody knows about or is someone funneling money?
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:02..I am unable to post a screen shot for proof of the gay bashings, but if you go onto the campaign Facebook page of Justin Simmons you can see the original post attacking Mark and the comments randomly attacking Simmons' sexuality. You can notice that the original attack came from Elizabeth Bennett with quick comments from Sarah Roland. Both of these accounts were created within minutes of each other right before posting. The gay bashing comes from a Facebook account by the name of Ha Ireton, obviously not a real name. All sounds shady to me..
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:54... Glad you are not voting for the piece of crap democratic candidate Beyer. But to not vote for Simmons when he hasn't said he is definitely running for a 4th term is stupid. We ALL need to vote AGAINST thus type of dirty politics. Well done Bernie and thanks for calling the Liar Beyers out!
6:54 sorry to hear that you won't be voting for a candidate who is working hard for the 131st district, as opposed to the opponent who has never worked and it out of touch with reality and who could not possibly meet the needs of the constituents. I ask that you please reconsider your vote and that you wait to see what happens next year. So many things can happen in a two year period.
ReplyDeleteI want to make it crystal clear that these postings were not done by and are not condoned by the Beyer campaign.
ReplyDeleteOur campaign has consistently stuck to running on the issues affecting the residents of the 131st. Even when our volunteers have been harassed and threatened we have not engaged in this type of petty and personal negative campaigning.
Harassed and threatened? Back that up Hill!
DeleteSimmons may in fact be hetero but trust me if his well coiffed tush came out the Chicken Lounge in Allentown on a Friday night dancing and drinks he would have the pick of the litter. Boy is hott and power is sexy, I'd be his intern in a heartbeat.
ReplyDeleteHillary, I have no doubt that the official and paid team would be above this sort of thing. I am referring to the volunteers who established their immaturity during the petition challenge. They even bragged about a keg party. I appreciate your comment. Tell the volunteers to knock it off.
ReplyDeleteNorCo Twink, Down, boy. You're making Sparticus jealous.
ReplyDeleteHillary Smith--Your comments are cute, but the first attack on Mark Sterner came weeks before the one Bernie is referring to from the Queen Bee of the Beyer hive herself.
ReplyDeleteFrom her Facebook page:
Karen Brown Beyer
October 17 at 9:53pm ·
"Today a mailer against my son went out from his opponent's campaign. The Simmons campaign manager, Mark Sterner (a convicted felon) who killed three people in a drunk driving accident, created a mailer with my son's picture on a milk carton because he did not vote in some elections locally while he was in law school in Pittsburgh."
Looks a little silly on your campaign's part now doesn't it. Can't cover up the facts Beyer campaign!!!
I guess the law student never heard of ABSENTEE BALLOTS!!! Or, if he really cared he could have just changed his voting poll. I guess they are not that smart, are they?
ReplyDeleteCome on Hillary. Last time I checked, Beyer's mother is the one spewing her venom about Mark Sterner on her Facebook page. I think Karen Beyer would be classified as part of the Beyer campaign. Can't you guys just tell the truth for once or is that just too hard for you? Good grief.
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't have been Karen. The post was the middle of the afternoon and the location didn't say Sands Bethlehem Casino Floor.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a secret that's where Karen goes when she is out on sales calls!
Why not free alcohol!
Wonder if Xerox pays her a salary and knows that's where she is?
Is it me or are there very eerily similarities between Karen Beyer and another former state rep. Jane Baker?
ReplyDeleteIt's not you!
ReplyDeleteOnly difference is one liked women and the other will sleep with any guy with a pulse
ReplyDelete640: now, now. It was a simple observation/comparison steeped in knowledge of their governing styles in politics. Let's not get nasty and skewer reputations. Isn't that what Simmons campaign called Beyer out on recently. I can't believe either side is earning votes.
ReplyDeleteSo is mine I worked for her.
ReplyDeleteRumor has it the Simmons Campaign has lots of surprise poll workers from the Queen's past that will be scattered around the district. Should make for a fun day.
ReplyDeleteWill the Beyer's have a surprise person from their past waiting for them when they vote in the morning?
Will reporters be there to witness the interaction? Or will it just be someone hiding with a video camera?
Can you say melt down on the 12 o'clock news?!?!
Oh what fun!!!!
A Karen melt down? I may go to Lower Saucon to see that!
ReplyDeleteI heard it will be people that Merrill ripped off in failed real estate deals.
ReplyDeleteSaw what the Simmons campaign will be handing out at the polls outing all the Beyer Skeletons!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the news.
Too excited to sleep. 6 hours to the implosion! Beyer family is going down! Maybe now they will pack their bags and leave the valley with junior in tow in a little read wagon behind the family car!
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ReplyDeletePeople who live in glass houses should not throw stones! At least Richardson worked and still works. Can Mama Beyer say the same about her loser son who is 30 yo and never worked a day in his life! Even Bar Johnston, Dem, calls him lazy and stopped working with him in this election.
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ReplyDeleteWrong about what?
ReplyDeleteBeyer campaign is getting desperate.
ReplyDeleteLiberal Democrat Joyce Moore is handing out cards that say Republicans for Beyer. Start with a lie end with one.
Heard Michael Beyer caused a 3 car accident at Calvary Temple. Thank God no one was hurt!
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight! A DEM is handing out REPUB cards.... isn't that backwards???????
ReplyDeleteAll the back and forth banter in this campaign and Simmons prevails by over 20 points! Better spread than in 2010! Case closed! See you in 2 years!
ReplyDeleteHE IS NOW A BIG STREAMER THAT MAKES 10x AS MUCH AS YOU AND IS MORE RELEVANT AND HAS MORE FANS AND HAS MORE FOLLOWERS AND HAS MORE IMPACT AND HAS MORE INFLUNCE. BUT YOU LIBS WILL NEVER GET THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE BOOMERS AND WILL NOT HAVE FUN DURING THE REVOLUTION
ReplyDeleteThe only thing he’s known for is that he acted all weird with that twitch streamer. Breadtube is a literal CIA-astroturfed movement
DeleteFunny how this has aged. Michael Beyer Is now a communist streamer on twitch and YouTube under the name “Mike from PA” as part of the “Breadtube” community. Just a perfect example of how much of an opportunist he is.
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