[Coop]

Maybe, but I really don't see the advantage of going public with a pronouncement like this. He's either a correct blowhard, an incorrect blowhard that squeaked out a win, or a misguided loser. (Nothing against him personally, just against his approach.)

[GraniteStateConservative]

It's a campaign strategy. He wants to discourage Fernald voters from showing up to vote and from working hard to elect him.

Benson isn't taking this race lightly. He's rewarding volunteers by buying tickets to county GOP fundraisers for them-- to keep them engaged and encouraged. He's still spending money on free t-shirts and other freebies for his supporters and volunteers.

The numbers he discussed aren't a big secret. Democrats make up only 25% of the state's voters. Republican candidates have the advantage by only having to pick up independents and hardly any Democrats. Democrats have to pick many more Republicans than Republicans have to pick up Democrats.