Bradley for Senate: This Bud's not for you

No wonder Democratic state Senate candidate Willard "Bud" Martin was so reluctant to reveal his political views. They're radical in the extreme.

Martin is the Democrats' nominee in a special election to fill the vacant seat in state Senate District 3, which covers Strafford and Carroll counties from Conway to Center Sandwich to Farmington. For weeks, he refused to tell voters what he thought about hot-button topics such as same-sex marriage, taxes, transgender rights, state spending, a seatbelt mandate and the death penalty. These are issues he probably would have to vote on right away if elected.

After criticism from Republicans, Martin finally started talking.

Oops.

Turns out Martin is for same-sex marriage, higher state spending, a seatbelt mandate and allowing transgendered people and cross-dressers to have legal protections based on those specific traits and behaviors. He's against the death penalty, and he says the state needs to consider revamping its entire revenue system. That's liberal code for "I want a sales or income tax -- or both."

Thankfully for voters in District 3 and residents statewide, Martin is running against former Republican U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley. On all of the issues mentioned above, Bradley and Martin disagree. Bradley is for cutting spending, keeping taxes in check and executing our worst murderers. He is against same-sex marriage, a needless seatbelt mandate, letting spending dictate tax rates and granting legal protections to men who dress in drag.

Jeb Bradley is a good fit for District 3. Voters would do themselves and the rest of us a favor by picking Bradley over Martin next Tuesday, April 21.