Jonathan MasonThe Republican candidates in the state House District 30 race are lobbing grenades at each other a week ahead of early voting.
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Esther Helton, a nurse for 36 years who serves on the East Ridge City Council, and Jonathan Mason are competing for the GOP nomination in the Aug. 2 primary. The House District 30 seat came open when incumbent Marc Gravitt decided to run for Hamilton County Register of Deeds.
Mason, who works in the insurance industry, launched the first salvo Thursday in a campaign release saying he has been endorsed by Tennessee Right to Life “for his steadfast pro-life views and commitment to the unborn.”
Mason said his opponent, “who voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, did not meet the criteria of Tennessee Right to Life, refusing a meeting with the organization.” Mason’s campaign later revised the release to say Helton “did not meet” with the organization.
Helton fired back Thursday evening, calling Mason a “political hack” who is running on “attacks and lies.”
She said she didn’t initially receive the survey Right to Life uses in its endorsement process and she was not afforded the opportunity to meet with the group. She since has submitted a survey stating “her consistent stand for the life of the innocent and unborn,” her release stated.
Helton said Tennessee Right to Life “has demanded that Mason retract his lies.” The organization did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
Helton said Mason also misrepresented her voting record and misled voters on why she won’t be present at a District 30 candidate debate Monday.
Mason said Helton “admitted” at a Republican women’s group meeting earlier in the year that she voted for Obama.
“Esther’s handlers keep complaining that we’re making the public aware of her record,” he said, adding that she “would have an opportunity to correct it” by attending the WRCB-sponsored debate.
“Why won’t Esther Helton debate in front of the voters of District 30?” he asked.
Helton responded that she told organizers from the beginning she had a prior commitment for that night. And, she said, “Like many leaders in Hamilton County who serve today in countywide office and currently in our state delegation, I did cast a ballot in a Democrat primary but my voting record as an elected official, my financial contributions and the time that I’ve spent working for other candidates reflects my Christian faith and my conservative values that make me a Republican.”
She also took a shot at Mason over who is raising more money.
Helton released her second-quarter fundraising totals Thursday, ahead of the Tuesday filing deadline, with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. Mason’s campaign told the Times Free Press on Thursday it would not release totals that day.
Helton reported raising $81,381 from 203 donors, including more than $25,000 during the quarter, while her opponent “has struggled to raise funds and reported less than $15,000 in the April filing.”
“I am even more determined that the voters of District 30 have a very simple choice: They can vote for a politician who enjoys grandstanding and slinging mud, or a nurse committed to address health insurance costs, creating jobs and making our classrooms work for our kids,” Helton said.
The winner of the Aug. 2 primary will face Democrat Joda Thongnopnua in the Nov. 6 general election.
District 30 includes portions of Apison, Brainerd, Collegedale, East Brainerd, East Lake, East Ridge, Missionary Ridge and Ooltewah.