But that narrative deflated this week, after Shavers’ father, Brett Shavers, penned a letter detailing how the candidate never served on a submarine and isn’t yet an attorney. In a statement, Shavers acknowledged not serving on a submarine and not being an attorney despite having described himself as one in a state disclosure filing. But he questioned his father’s political motives – and called for healing and moving forward.

The episode arrives in the closing stretch of a major push by Democrats to unseat Gilday –  perhaps the most vulnerable House Republican – and boost their majorities in the Legislature. The race is playing out in one of the rare