I've talked with both Rob Welch and Rep. Larry Haler and it would seem that it'll be hard to keep any lingering personality conflicts held over from their City Council days out of the campaign, even if it's only behind the scenes. Most of this won't make it into the paper tomorrow so here it is.
Welch said a "huge void" of leadership exists within the 8th District delegation, offering kudos only to Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland. "One out of three does not make a strong delegation," he said.
Welch characterized his relationship with Haler during their time on the council as professional but not friendly and said he had to serve as a referee between Haler and other council members he was allegedly strong-arming.
If you asked me if I respected Mr. Haler, I would have to say no, Welch said.
He said Haler at times was "very aggressive and unfair to some members who were softer spoken," and said Haler was "not always as professional as he should have been."
Haler had as much or more to say.
"I don't have time to re-live and rehash whatever he perceives there was there and not there," he said. "That kind of campaigning belittles this district. People are tired of negative campaigning."
When told that Welch believes comparing their tenures on the council provides a good measuring stick Haler went on to say "I've far exceeded anything he's ever done in his life."
"The mayor is nothing more than a member of the city council," Haler said. "Let's not make any more of that than what it is. It's just a figurehead."
Haler further said "my resumé outdoes his tenfold."
Haler later insisted that "I do not carry grudges."
I'll post a link here to our Wednesday story once it's published in the morning.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Here's the story from this morning's paper.
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