Candidates, it's time to drop out...???

[The Watcher]

Well, its June and that means things are heating up as it relates not only to the temp., but to the Race for Walton County Sheriff.

Just a couple bits for thought.

Out of ALL the current candidates, who really has an actual campaign? Who has raised funds (if so, how much?). Who has numbers of voters supporting them? Who has spoken in front of community groups and citizens? Who is a CANDIDATE and who is a "vote taker"?

I already know the answers to these and other questions, but do you (the voter)?

My goal for this campaign is to accomplish two things: 1) Ensure the BEST Candidate for Sheriff is elected into office. 2) Remove the incumbent as he has consistently FAILED. That's it, call it an agenda or whatever you must.

Realize this, too many cooks spoil the soup. I think it is time some of the candidates realize this and instead of attempting to climb a mountain without the proper equipment, they should look to assit the candidate(s) that have the right tools to accomplish this goal. I am certain the all of the candidates have the right reasons for entering the race. However, it is time for a reality check.

I challenge all of the candidates to look at the number of supporters your competition, look at the funding ($$$MONEY$$$) they have acquired, listen to what people are saying. If you do this and you still feel you actually have a chance to win this election, then I cannot fault you for being unrealistic and stubborn, but we all have dreams.

I do not mean for this post to be critical of any one individual, I just feel that there are several candidates who would better serve our community (and themselves) supporting another to ensure that new leadership takes control of our County Law Enforcement.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this. This is only my opinion and I am interested in what other think.

W

 

[Johnny Post]

Usually I would disagree Watcher. I would typically put up some argument about the democratic process, and the right of anyone to run for office. In this case, however, I have to agree.

A reminder to all, Walton County has plurality elections. This means highest vote getter wins, and thus no runoff. If there is no opposing party, then the the primary serves as the general election (which is always the case, but without a run-off it is important to restate this point).

I keep hearing people complain about the current sheriff. If ousting him is the goal, then certainly a person should do all they can to support that. That does not mean running for that office, especially when other qualified candidates are also running.

In addition to the "look in the mirror" approach Watcher is suggesting, I hope some of these candidates would then talk to candidates with a legitimate chance to win about doing what is best for the common goal of electing a new sheriff. And please, before people complain about the whole "legitimate chance" statement, I don't like it either - but it is true in this case.

In statewide and national races, cost of a campaign is prohibitive. Likewise, the scope of a campaign winnows the field successfully prior to decision points, such as primaries. In this race, hearing from a few hundred people seems to keep people in the race, when it is clear that you need a few thousand to win. A few hundred merely takes up votes, and helps the incumbent.

By the way, I have a feeling this same sentiment may start emerging in the District 5 Commissioner's race. Not sure how I feel about that at this time, mainly because there is no common goal (i.e. ousting an incumbent). Hopefully, though, the number of people in the race won't adversely affect any quality candidate.

 

[idlewind]

Well, its June and that means things are heating up as it relates not only to the temp., but to the Race for Walton County Sheriff.

Just a couple bits for thought.

Out of ALL the current candidates, who really has an actual campaign? Who has raised funds (if so, how much?). Who has numbers of voters supporting them? Who has spoken in front of community groups and citizens? Who is a CANDIDATE and who is a "vote taker"?

I already know the answers to these and other questions, but do you (the voter)?

My goal for this campaign is to accomplish two things: 1) Ensure the BEST Candidate for Sheriff is elected into office. 2) Remove the incumbent as he has consistently FAILED. That's it, call it an agenda or whatever you must.

Realize this, too many cooks spoil the soup. I think it is time some of the candidates realize this and instead of attempting to climb a mountain without the proper equipment, they should look to assit the candidate(s) that have the right tools to accomplish this goal. I am certain the all of the candidates have the right reasons for entering the race. However, it is time for a reality check.

I challenge all of the candidates to look at the number of supporters your competition, look at the funding ($$$MONEY$$$) they have acquired, listen to what people are saying. If you do this and you still feel you actually have a chance to win this election, then I cannot fault you for being unrealistic and stubborn, but we all have dreams.

I do not mean for this post to be critical of any one individual, I just feel that there are several candidates who would better serve our community (and themselves) supporting another to ensure that new leadership takes control of our County Law Enforcement.

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this. This is only my opinion and I am interested in what other think.

W

Watcher, I agree that some candidates have a steep hill to climb, but we must have faith in the system, these candidates will be weeded out at the polls. This includes the incumbent, who no informed voter will vote for.

Also, this incessant whisper campaign to get some candidates out of the race smacks of someone favoring a candidate in trouble trying to bail them out. Whomever has the neccessary funding, works the hardest and has the best qualifications will prevail because the voters are not as dumb as some people think. The best information I can gather is that all the candidates have the required number of petitions ( although ralph's are somewhat suspect) so let them fight it out and may the best man win.

The same goes for all the other races including the Dist 5 race. The candidate who best educates the voters will prevail.

 

[wrobert]

Watcher, I agree that some candidates have a steep hill to climb, but we must have faith in the system, these candidates will be weeded out at the polls. This includes the incumbent, who no informed voter will vote for.

Maybe I am being naive, but I do not believe so. There are very, very few informed voters, and so far, I have not seen much effort being made to inform them. And I have seen no effort on their part to become informed. If things are not changed, then each of those running have no one to blame but themselves for the situation. Qualifying starts in one week. I guess then we will see who is interested in really making a difference.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

 

[sunspotbaby]

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

 

[seagrovegirl]

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

X2

 

[idlewind]

Maybe I am being naive, but I do not believe so. There are very, very few informed voters, and so far, I have not seen much effort being made to inform them. And I have seen no effort on their part to become informed. If things are not changed, then each of those running have no one to blame but themselves for the situation. Qualifying starts in one week. I guess then we will see who is interested in really making a difference.

I think one must differentiate between uninformed and unengaged voters. At this point only the political junkies, individuals with an interest in a race or the candidates and their friends/families are truly informed because they are engaged. The bulk of the voters will not begin to pay attention until one-two weeks prior to the election. Currently those voters are trying to figure out how they will pay for enough food to feed themselves and their families and how they can afford to pay for the gas to get to work. A candidate must figure out how to both inform the voters and engage them IN THEIR FAVOR. At present ralph has many voters engaged against him but no one running against him has thus far captured the imagination of anyone outside their circle. No other race seem to even be on the radar, although the house race seems to be heating up between Drake and Campbell. We will see how things go.

 

[idlewind]

Our informed voters voted for the current sheriff administration

My goodness my dear, you are indeed correct. How this happened I cannot explain, maybe someone can enlighten us all. However, I refuse to believe that my fellow citizens could be duped yet a third time by our incompetent sheriff and his merry men/women.Such a result is beyond the realm of comprehension.

 

[ShallowsNole]

**bite fingers**