Editor,
Having run for elected office in Mariposa County several times, I am always interested in observing campaigns here, and particularly, reading letters to the editor in the Mariposa Gazette, commenting on the particular attributes or deficiencies of candidates.
Fortunately, I didn’t have social media posts to contend with when I ran for office. I have been the focus of letters to the editor in the past during my campaigns though, and while I appreciated many of those letters and believe they may be beneficial and heartfelt toward a candidate, they may also be hurtful, not fair and not impartial towards a candidate.
My personal favorite albeit a humorous one is the letter that a woman wrote to the editor indicating I should stay at home and bake cookies.
I have lived in Mariposa since 1984 — long enough to know how the wagons encircle people running for office here. Name recognition/ associations/favoritism in the workplace have been way too present in the obtaining of local positions.
What I personally find more helpful in deciding how to vote in a county election rather than letters to the editor is removing all the “noise” and reading the candidate’s own words whether in a campaign advertisement, campaign literature, social media or their personal statement and qualifications in the voter’s pamphlet.
Running for an elected and contested office is one of the most direct, privileged and commendable ways I can think of to serve your community — win or lose.
Christine Johnson
Mariposa
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