Governor easily wins the republican Gubernatorial primary. Benson defeated New Castle selectman Charles Tarbell by about 50 percentage points.
Facing a candidate who lacked name recognition, and money, only the margin was in doubt for the high-tech entrepreneur turned governor……After declaring victory, Benson stressed that he's made good on his vow of no new taxes and declaimed a list of statistics he said were a measure of what he's accomplished.
"For the first time ever, we're the most livable state in the country…..We are the healthiest state in the country…..We're the 4th best for small business……7th most economically free……For the first time ever we are the healthiest state in the country….We are the 49th lowest tax burden of the 50 states……"
Benson's opponent, Charles Tarbell -- was adamant in defeat. He says the governor's failure to live up to his promise to eliminate school aid donor towns makes him vulnerable.
"I don’t think the making a promise to make the next governor fix this after giving the property owners in the state a huge tax increase is a real strong position to be going into the general election."
In his acceptance speech, Benson claimed to have lowered property taxes…..and launched what is likely to become a recurrent line of attack on his general election rival -- democrat John Lynch.
"If you want the political insiders taken care of vote for John Lynch his Democratic friends democrats. If you want the everyday people taken care of vote Craig Benson and the Republican ticket."
When asked to provide details of Lynch's insider dealings, the governor struggled.
"There's no examples yet, he keeps going out and being critical of me for being not being more inclusive and working people more and pandering to insiders. I'm there to represent the people."
Benson's commanding win came on a day when the party faithful dominated the voting…….In the general election, he has to appeal to a broader spectrum of the electorate.
