GOP State House Representative Stephani Carter should be ashame

By Barry Curtis

Texans have grown accustomed to politicians changing course on issues and being completely wrong on a particular subject. At this point, I assume that comes with being a politician. This pragmatic position is also reflected in our level of what we determine to be a working government. We simply just expect government to at least have the ‘open for business sign up’ and the lights on. That’s about it as it relates to functionality of government. I agree that isn’t much but the polls continue to reflect that’s the correct sentiment.

However, Texans do hold our political leaders to a higher standard as it relates to character and honesty. State Representative Stephani Carter should take note here.

Rep. Carter is the incumbent republican state representative from House District 102. She faces in the primary several candidates. One candidate in particular she faces is an Afghanistan decorated war hero Sam Brown. Sam Brown was horribly burned in Afghanistan and still bares the scares of his injury. He was burned over 30 percent of his body during an attack on his convoy in Afghanistan.

I tell you all this to bring up an ugly chapter in Texas politics. Its ugly and Stephanie Carter made it so.

During a recent GOP debate for House District 102 with all the candidates’ present Stephani Carter made an amazing comparison that must have stunned even her paid staffers. She compared a recent fender bender that she was involved in to Sam Brown’s heroic military service. She stated the recent car accident caused her to ask, “what is the purpose of life” and “do you like what you do?” She went on to describe the accident as a “life-altering” in which she could have died. There is simply one little issue with that story. It isn’t true.

Her are the facts. On January 21, 2014 Rep. Carter ran into a sitting vehicle while she attempted to execute a turn. The Addison Police Department found her at fault. In addition the police report stated there were no injuries sustained to either party in the accident. The person she ran into Rolando Cerezos stated she attempted to file against his insurance and was denied because the police clearly indicated she was at fault.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Mr .Cerezos was stunned to learn Rep. Cater was using a wreck she caused to score political points. During a recent interview with the News editorial board Rep. Carter could provide little details about the accident. She stated during the interview the accident happened this year in Dallas. She stated she could not remember the exact date. She also stated her car was totaled. Rep. Carter made it clear during the interview (according to the newspaper) she did not think she was at fault.

It’s amazing how such a life-altering event could yield so few memories for Rep. Carter. Let me clear a few facts for you Rep. Carter: one, you were found to be at fault on the police report that I am sure you read. Two, your car was not totaled you drove it away from the scene with just a bumper off. Three, the accident happened in Addison, not Dallas.

Stephani Carter it is a shame of immense proportions to compare your fender bender to the heroic service of Sam Brown and all the other brave men and women who have sacrificed so much. Your not so subtle attempt to gain political points was weak and unbecoming. Your political posturing is beneath the office that you seek — and currently hold.

Mrs. Carter here is a few suggestions for you. Stand up and accept the responsibility of being candidate, citizen and a courteous human being. Admit you were wrong in your comparison; reiterate the importance of responsible driving and please pay the man’s deductible for damages clearly your fault.

Remember this Stephani Carter, here in Texas character and Bob Wills are still the king.

Barry Curtis can be reached at www.thecurtisreport.com.