Father of Rape Victim Speaks Out Against Sen. Nolan

(Chuck Muth) – When Nevada state Sen. Dennis Nolan (R-9) and his Republican primary challenger face off in a debate on Jon Ralston’s “Face-to-Face” program later this week, expect sparks to fly.

Today the Halseth campaign launched a radio and mail campaign against the liberal incumbent over his relationship with a convicted rapist. Here’s the press release from the campaign:

“Defending rapists is not okay,” — that is the message being sent to Senator Dennis Nolan from the father of teenage girl who was sexually assaulted by Nolan’s friend in 2004. Voters will also be receiving that message in their mailboxes and on the radio starting this week.

The radio ad and mail pieces come from the campaign to elect Elizabeth Halseth to Nolan’s seat in the State Senate. Tim Andersen, the father of the teen who was assaulted by Nolan’s friend, Gordon Joseph Lawes, is working with Halseth’s campaign because he wants the public to know that the Senator was a character witness for a rapist. Following the 2008 trial, it took the jury less than two hours to convict Lawes, despite Nolan’s testimony.

“I want the public to know what he did before they cast their ballots on June 8th,” Andersen said. “What kind of person takes the stand to defend a man who raped a teenage girl?”

Halseth’s campaign manager, David McGowan, says the campaign is glad to give Mr. Andersen the opportunity to tell his story. “Politics aside, the public needs to hear what happened to this family. They have been through so much in the last six years, we hope that giving them the chance to speak out will allow them to heal,” McGowan said.

There are plenty of reasons for Republicans to boot Nolan – Handmaiden for the Nanny State – from office, but perhaps none more powerful than the one Mr. Anderson represents.

It will be interesting to see how Sen. Nolan tries to spin his support for a sexual predator. It’ll also be interesting to see whether or not he chickens out of his debate on Ralston now that his opponent has kicked him right square in the family jewels.