I’m back in the saddle again. As most of you know if you regularly read my column, my son Harry is running for re-election AGAIN.
One would think after participating in so many campaigns and re-elections for him, I’d be immune to scathing literature hitting my mailbox and bouncing around the airwaves. It seems like every candidate is getting negatively targeted and attacked, not just my son.
This year’s batch of political candidate ads seems to be filled with hatred, vitriol and criticism – more than in any past elections I’ve experienced.
It’s the WILD WEST:
AI generated images
Undocumented quotes
Wild name calling and allegations
And outside organizations spending three times as much as candidates on attack ads (according to the PBS NewsHour report).
- I’m pretty buoyed up by Harry’s huge number of endorsements.
- I’m pretty buoyed up by the fact that elected officials are crossing party lines to support him.
However, as most mothers of political candidates would attest, it’s not easy to sluff off the negative. I look to history for some solace.
Barbara Bush, mother of George W. and Jeb, struggled with the ridicule directed at her sons even after decades in political life… In interviews with biographer Susan Page, Barbara Bush recalled Jeb’s advice: “Mom, don’t worry about things you can’t do anything about.
Anne Montgomery, Pete Buttigieg’s mother, in a 2019 Associated Press interview, described receiving hateful mail and worrying about her son’s safety during his campaign. She countered the bad press by answering supporters’ letters and attending rallies for Pete. She noted that she didn’t pretend the ugliness didn’t hurt; but she kept the campaign within the larger picture of his life.
A major research review published in The Journal of Politics in 2007 found negative campaigning tends to stick in people’s memories and increase campaign knowledge. However, the research also found no consistent evidence that negatively campaigning reliably wins votes.
I find that very hopeful.
Nor does negative campaigning reduce voter turnout.
I find that very hopeful too.
And along the campaign trail, I’m finding great pleasure and hope in the many generous acts of support and positive recognition Harry has witnessed from all parts of the county – not just from Democrats, but from Republicans too.
Doug Belden, a longtime Republican and former Hillsborough County Tax Collector, says his two decades of knowing and working with Harry have demonstrated that Harry deserves the public’s trust with taxpayer money and he supports Harry without hesitation.
Suzy Lopez, Republican Hillsborough State Attorney, says Harry “brings a practical, bipartisan approach to the County Commission and I am proud to support his re-election.”
That kinda talk is what is taking up residence inside me every day. Everywhere.
As the election rolls to a close, that’s good enough.
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
