2 ponder GOP run vs. Carney

The dust is hardly settled on Chris Carney’s November victory, but the political winds are kicking up as potential candidates begin to test the waters of viability.

Two Republicans have stated they are at least seriously considering seeking their party’s nomination and the chance to oppose Carney, a Democrat, in the 2008 November general election.

Dan Meuser, president of Pride Mobility of Exeter, and David Madeira, a Back Mountain chiropractor, each said they are giving the matter serious consideration.

The 10th District holds a 5 to 4 Republican to Democrat registration edge, and before Carney’s victory last year, the seat had traditionally been held by a Republican. Congressman Joe McDade held the seat from 1963 to 1999 and Don Sherwood served until Carney defeated him in 2006.

“I can say that I am extremely humbled by the encouragement I have received to enter this race,” said Meuser, 43, of Shavertown. “And because of that, I continue to give it strong consideration.”

Meuser said he is in what he called “an exploratory phase,” relying on the counsel of family and friends to help him make his decision.

“And if the Republican Party feels I would be the strongest candidate, that would weigh heavy in my decision,” Meuser said. “And I sincerely hope that I am being given this consideration for all the right reasons; that they feel I am the best person for the job and that I can do the job for the people of the 10th District.”

Meuser said he is a frequent visitor to Washington, lobbying for the industry he does business in and for the rights of people with disabilities. He added that he is familiar with the way Washington works and that experience would help him best serve the people he would represent.

“Everyone knows there is a crisis in health care,” Meuser said. “The government needs to be run like a business; efficient and compassionate.”

Madeira, 40, of Dallas, said he too has to evaluate the situation before he makes a decision on whether to run.

“I, like most people of the 10th District, was willing to give Carney a chance to represent his district,” Madeira said. “But watching the way he votes, frankly I’m extremely disappointed.”

Madeira said Carney claims to be pro-life, yet he votes the wrong way time and again.

“Regarding stem cell research, most people don’t realize the huge difference between embryonic stem- cell research and adult stem-cell research,” Madeira said. “All of the treatments that have actually been applied have come from adult stem-cell research. I support that type of stem-cell research, but we don’t have to kill babies.”

Madeira is married and has five children. He ran for the state Senate last year, but lost to Lisa Baker, who eventually won the seat, in the primary. He said his family and his practice will weigh heavily in making his decision whether to run.

“All I can say is that I am giving it very serious consideration,” Madeira said.

Carney has stated repeatedly that he would never “blindly follow the party line” and that he would always represent the best interests of the people of the 10th District. He said the attacks on him have been unfair and in some cases, blatantly false. He said he feels the people of the district will see through the rhetoric and re-elect him next year.