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Mesquite voters turning out in record numbers
By BRIAN BEARDEN/Managing editor
If early voting is any indication, the Nov. 4 election day turnout in Mesquite will be big.
The biggest day of early voting was Saturday when voters were lined up from the time the doors opened.
Voters said they were excited about getting a chance to do their part in a historic election.
Republican candidate for District 101 state representative Mike Anderson said he was energized by the turnout.
“It was pitch-dark out here at a quarter ‘til 7 a.m., and we had a line,” Anderson, former mayor of Mesquite said. “I thought it was the day after Thanksgiving sale when I saw all of these people out here in the dark. You want a heavy turnout. We have had lines all day long. These are the longest lines we have seen all week.”
Supporters of Barack Obama sported Obama T-shirts while Republican voters favored Anderson with “I like Mike” T-shirts.
“Mesquite is becoming much more open to voting for Democratic candidates,” said Robert Miklos, the Democratic opponent to Anderson. “They are tired of sending people to Austin only to be disappointed time after time.”
Despite seeing few T-shirts for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, Anderson said he expects Republicans voters will come through on election day.
“You can’t make assumptions about how someone will vote,” Anderson said. “You’d be dead wrong. This race will be within one or two percentage points.”
Clarence Ford brought his 17-year-old son, Jordan, with him to vote because it is an historic election. He introduced his son to Miklos and pointed out that his son had just won a grant to SMU to study environmental issues.
The candidate shook the younger Ford’s hand and recalled that his own first vote was on his 18th birthday on Nov. 6, 1983.
Ask a voter with an Obama button and the reaction was quick, as well as universal.
“I’m voting for change,” said Susie Hess.
Pamela Lee, who was also handing out flyers and sporting campaign buttons, said. “I’m out here to support Barack Obama, as well as Robert Miklos. They have the best interests for me and my family. I’m just trying to do my part.”
Miklos said after he wins, he will host town hall meetings in November and December.
“If I win, we have to get the people in and start talking about what needs to be done,” Miklos told Ford.
Campaigner Mike Hess had no doubts.
“This district will go for Robert Miklos, and the voters will go straight Democratic,” Mike Hess said. “There is a lot of positive interest in this election.”
Miklos said voters have told him they are scared because of the economy and after eight years of Republicans in the White House.
“There is a universal feeling that things have gotten off the tracks,” Miklos said. “Republicans keep rejecting the incumbent. They keep picking a new one to run because the ones they are sending to Austin are not taking care of the people in the district.
“The presidential race has brought in a lot of new voters,” Miklos said. “People are more informed this year. People are weighing the issues more.
“When I am standing at someone’s front door, I ask what is important to them,” Miklos said. “That’s where my biggest success has been. People have told me that is the first time this has happened. They feel like they have been ignored and left behind because of all the special interests.”
Miklos said he wants to give teachers a raise and keep utility bills and property taxes down. He’s against raising the gas tax.
“Raising the gas tax would hit people here the hardest,” Miklos said.
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For those of you who don't want to wait til Nov 4th and don't want to stand in the long lines... I suggest Pleasant Oaks Recreation Center- from Mesquite, go west on Scyene, after you cross Prairie Creek start looking for a street called Minoco. Take a left on Minoco, go approximately 1 mile to Greenmound and take a left... you can\t miss the Rec center. It is worth the approx. 5 mile drive to not have to stand and wait in long long lines. You can either return to Mesquite via Scyene or Bruton Road. "