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November 7, 2006

From a reader

Rebecca Barnes writes:


Here’s a race to provide some interest for evangelical Christians. Kentucky’s long-held Republican house seat may go to a Democrat. The Yarmuth v. Northup race will be a big change for the state’s representation. These two candidates couldn’t be any different: Yarmuth is on the board of Planned Parenthood, Northup is endorsed by Right to Life. That’s only one issue, of course, but Yarmuth is as liberal as they come with positions such as legalizing marijuana, lowering the drinking age, flag-burning, etc. Additionally, he has no record of interest in justice for the poor or marginalized.

While other states are turning blue with Democrats that are more moderate, Kentucky is offering a potential house member who may not even be able to dialog with moderate members of his own community.

Another point of interest from here in the Midwest/gate to the South is the Indiana race between Sodrel and Hill. Libertarian candidate Eric Schansberg is an evangelical Christian who garnered a solid 5 percent of the vote. If moderate Democrats are a trend, as CNN’s panel is now bantering about, and evangelicals with an interest in poverty issues are a political trend, candidates such as Schansberg may be interesting to watch. He is also defying typical political definitions.