x
Breaking News
More () »

State Representative Candidates Weigh in on Campaign Ads in Carbon County

LEHIGHTON — This election season has been especially heated from both sides of the aisle. Locally, campaign ads are causing a stir for two men from Carbon...

LEHIGHTON -- This election season has been especially heated from both sides of the aisle. Locally, campaign ads are causing a stir for two men from Carbon County vying for state house representative.

Incumbent Doyle Heffley and challenger Neil Makhija, both from Carbon County, are vying for the position.

Newswatch 16 spoke to the candidates about the negative ads.

"My opponent has chosen to go very negative on his ads and I think it's unfortunate because our voters are really looking for answers," said State Rep. Doyle Heffley, (R) Carbon County.

Heffley tells Newswatch 16, he believes he is the better choice over his opponent for several reasons, touting his experience in office and the work he has accomplished.

Ads running in Heffley's favor even suggest his opponent hasn't lived in Carbon County long enough to serve the people.

"We don't need another lawyer who worked for a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., in Harrisburg. What we need is someone who is going to represent the values of the folks here in Carbon County and that's what I look to do," said Heffley.

But Democratic nominee Neil Makhija feels he can do much more than his opponent, including combating the battle on drugs.

"People are really sick of corruption and dysfunction in Harrisburg and they want someone who is going to serve them and I am someone who is honestly trying to make a difference for my hometown in this community that I love," said Neil Makhija, (D) State Representative candidate.

Makhija also addressed accusations suggesting he hasn't lived in Carbon County long enough to serve.

"Everyone knows I am a hometown boy. I went to Harvard Law School on a Carbon County scholarship. I am proud to give back to our community," said Makhija.

Some voters we spoke to tell us negative ads of any kind, in any political race, will do no good. If anything, it makes voting more difficult.

"I'd really like to hear more about what they are going to do than how they go about their business," said Thomas Fitzgerald of Jim Thorpe.

"It's a bunch of malarkey. It doesn't mean anything so I don't know who to vote for," said Jim Sands of Lansford.

Before You Leave, Check This Out