Don't Vote Early - Wait Until You See who mails out nasty mailers, then choose

DON'T VOTE EARLY

- wait to see what dirty mailers come out to evaluate who you trust and leave time for those attacked to issue rebuttals.

 

For instance, Doug Shields, supported by former County Commissioner Jimmy Conner, and running for Lake County Commissioner, has sent out character assassination hit piece mailers (at least two) against incumbent Tim Sullivan. So, Sullivan has posted a rebuttal on his website and in his follow up emails.

 

Former Tavares City Council member Kirby Smith, running against incumbent County Commissioner Wendy Breeden, also got contributions from his long time friend Jimmy Conner (see them in the financial reports on the Lake County Elections website), but his "hit piece" mailer was more reserved and mostly recapped the results of a survey by a faith-based organization.  So Kirby, a fiscal conservative who many like, you get a neutral opinion on that mailer. Who could pick on Wendy Breeden?

 

Candidates should learn to associate with non-hostile supporters and advisers. Most other Lake County area election races (excluding city candidates who are mostly not in the primaries) and mailers have been polite so far, focusing on issues or facts. 

 

Then there are the Facebook group wars. Some groups refuse any political dialog, and others let them go. Comments are also posted on NextDoor but generally muted by neighborhood "leads". Take them with a grain of salt but if "always angry" Jimmy Connor supports a candidate with funds or comments on Facebook, I personally will vote for the other candidate. 

 

Ethical candidates will not take support or advice from people who are in my opinion as a reporter, nasty.  I have no idea who advised Shields or Smith to use negative hit pieces, but many people don't like them 

 

PS: I am told that when word got out that Jimmy Connor supported Doug Shields ( a nice guy who probably had no idea of Jimmy's history in Lake County politics), people started sending more contributions to Tim Sullivan.  Now, as of August 9th, Sullivan has collected almost three times what Shields has collected in campaign contributions. 

 

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers.com