Did GOP leaders disrespect Sen. Little?

State Senator Betty Little made a strong case over the last week that she’s the right person to win back the 20th Congressional district.

She’s a woman, a proven vote-getter, and a moderate Republican in a once-conservative district that’s strayed Democrat the last half-decade.

Despite her personal outreach to County GOP leaders, she got the bounce this week. Instead, they went with an Assembly member who doesn’t even live in the district.

In her statement, Little suggests that Republican leaders failed to follow an “open process” to identify a candidate.

I am disappointed that I did not receive the nomination to run for the 20th Congressional District’s open seat. But, I have no regrets in seeking the nomination, and am very appreciative of the tremendous support I received from so many people.

As I said late last week when the vacancy occurred, my hope was that I, along with each of the Republican candidates, would have the chance to meet with each of the ten committees and present my reasons for running.

I was pushing for an open process that allowed the rank and file committee people, who do a lot of hard work on behalf of candidates each year, a chance for greater involvement. That did not happen, but it is now important that we support the nominee and win this seat.