Sweeney doesn't deserve support

  On April 28, The Sun published a story wherein it was stated that CD-7 Rep. Raul Grijalva, Democrat, was being challenged by Republican Joe Sweeney of Tucson.

  First, a little history.

  Four years ago Joe Sweeney defeated Lou Munoz for the Republican nomination as the candidate for the U.S. House. Phil Townsend was the Yuma County Republican Party chairman at the time and I was his first vice chairman.

  The day after Sweeney won the primary election, Phil Townsend announced that he, as chairman of the Yuma County Republican Central Committee, would not support Sweeney's candidacy. I immediately announced my support of Phil's position.

  Since then, I have had many opportunities hear Sweeney speak, and frankly, nothing that I have seen or heard in the past two years has changed my opinion.

  Should Joe Sweeney win the Republican nomination, I will not support him as a candidate. I do not want him representing me or my Republican Party.

  There is, by the way, an individual running for the Republican nomination that is a man worthy of consideration.

  I am proud to support Gene Chewning, a Vietnam veteran from Tucson who has announced that he is running for the U.S. House seat from CD7.

  If you would like an opportunity to meet with Gene, he will be in Yuma on May 20 and will be happy to discuss his views on the many issues important to the citizens of Arizona CD7 with anyone, anytime.

JOSEPH MELCHIONNE, Chairman, Yuma County Republican Central Committee