||| FROM SAMANTHA BRYNER |||
I am writing to express my concern about the increasing trend of partisan endorsements in non-partisan races, specifically I question the use of seeking partisan endorsements in our local NON Partisan races for those seeking election to the San Juan County Council.
Non-partisan races are designed to ensure that candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and vision for the community, rather than their political affiliations. The introduction of partisan endorsements undermines this principle and risks polarizing the electorate. It shifts the focus from the issues that matter most to our community to party politics, which can be divisive and counterproductive.
Our community deserves leaders who prioritize local issues and work collaboratively to address them, regardless of political party lines. When candidates seek and accept partisan endorsements, it raises questions about their ability to remain impartial and serve all constituents fairly. It also suggests that their decisions may be influenced by party agendas rather than the best interests of the community.
I urge my fellow voters to critically evaluate all candidates in non-partisan races based on their merits and commitment to our community, rather than their political endorsements. Let’s strive to keep our local elections focused on what truly matters: the welfare and progress of our community.
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It is abominable that our county leaders closed the county offices on Friday, without our approval (vote). Even with changing employ work hours, our county offices should be open 5 days a week. I realize we voted for the folks that made this change. It is time we voted for someone that will change this horrible idea.
Your concern for non-partisan elected officials is right on target.
Let’s elect folks that put our community issues first.
I was also dismayed that off island elected politicians endorsed our islands candidates. Thanks for your excellent post.
You can tell a lot about a candidate by the endorsements that they receive. One’s political preference is their brand… it’s how their wired. You cannot separate yourself from who you are simply because of the position that you hold.
You’re entitled to your beliefs, and you can talk all you want about nonpartisanship. But, speaking for myself– when it comes to voting for county council… I want to know who the candidate is that I’m voting for. As such, I welcome all endorsements.
Please don’t assume it is the candidates that are always seeking party endorsement. Both of the parties send out questions to the candidates to determine who they want to endorse. This puts the candidates in a difficult situation. If they fail to respond to the questions then it is almost certain that the party will endorse the other candidate. In my opinion, the fault here lies with the parties inserting themselves into the non partisan races. If you are an active member in either of the parties I suggest you write to your local party representatives and ask that they respect the intent of a nonpartisan office and discontinue the practice of endorsements.
You said it Samantha. Our community absolutely deserves leaders who prioritize local issues and work collaboratively to address them, regardless of political party lines.
Progressives may have disagreed with Rick Hughes on a lot of matters but we all have him largely to thank for the rise of Democrat Representative Alex Ramel, and in turn, all of the good that came to our community from this collaborative relationship.
If by local issues you mean ferries or affordable housing, there is no solving these challenges without the help of our state legislators. Is it reasonable (or prudent) to expect Rick to refuse Alex’s endorsement when he hopes to once again be sitting at the table with him trying to solve our seemingly intractable “local” problems? Afterall, Ramel is Majority Whip, the third highest ranking member of his caucus.
Call me a cynic but I suspect that if Republicans were electable in deep blue San Juan County (or the 40th legislative district) they and their preferred candidates would be flying their flag high too.
As chair of the county Democrats, I want to respond to Patty Miller’s comment. We will never endorse a candidate who does not request our endorsement. And generally we don’t make the first contact with the candidate, in most cases we wait to be contacted by the candidate before considering him/her for endorsement. If a candidate requests our endorsement, only then do we send that candidate our questionnaire.
Of course it’s our hopes that our elected officials will lead in an unbiased manner… in the spirit of the common good, in the best interests of the county. That goes without saying. But the interpretation of what the common good is is up to the individual, and in San Juan County, as evidenced by multiple public surveys over the decades, has often fallen short of what many feel the common good. is The republican mind-set has traditionally been one that puts economy uber alles. In the era of climate change and ecological overshoot it is time we set a new standard differing from the status quo.
Calling the highest political office in the county nonpartisan has no more meaning than if you were to call the office of the state governor nonpartisan, or the office of the President of the Untied States nonpartisan. It’s a nomer instigated years ago by the republican party intended to deflect the identity of those running for the office of county council.
What do you call a republican that’s running for county council in San Juan County? An “Independent.”