The Woodford County Republican Central Committee has learned of the distribution of illegal, unethical, unsigned election eve leaflets making slanderous accusations against certain candidates for office prior to the March 16 primary election. The Executive Committee unanimously condemns the actions of the unknown writers and those who distributed the literature to U.S. mailboxes in an underhanded attempt to influence the outcome of an election. Such conduct is not only unethical, but also illegal.

A candidate's character and position on the issues should be openly and freely discussed in the course of a campaign, not slipped under the door in the dark of night by those who will not identify themselves or subject their accusations to the normal examination of facts. Whether accusations are true or false, the voters have a right to hear all sides of the matter before making their decisions. Waiting until a person has no chance to respond suggests that the accusers know their charges will not be persuasive in the light of day.

The use of whisper campaigns and unsigned leaflets harms not only the persons who are their targets, but those who may temporarily stand to gain from the actions, for they also become suspect, even if they played no part in the original unethical conduct. The electoral process also suffers greatly, for voters are deliberately deprived of the facts they need to make informed decisions.

All people of good will must reject those who perform these deeds and those who support them. The Central Committee will not condone such conduct and will support civil authorities in the investigation and prosecution of the offenders.

--- Executive Committee of the Woodford County Republican Central Committee

March 19, 2004


 

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