San Jose has an extended historical past of dangerous conduct throughout metropolis elections. Stating an opponent’s shortcomings is honest recreation. However too typically candidates and their supporters cross the road and have interaction in unethical techniques that say extra about them than their opponents.
Such is the case within the mayoral race involving Matt Mahan and Cindy Chavez. Neither candidate has clear fingers.
Opponents of Mahan have created an internet site criticizing the San Jose councilman’s document. However the web site blatantly mischaracterizes Mahan’s place on abortion rights and suggests he's a closet Republican, neither of which is true.
The web site is the creation of the labor group United Meals and Business Staff Impartial Expenditure PAC. Whereas Chavez has no management over the web site, she has but to denounce it or ask that the falsehoods be eliminated. That raises the query of whether or not she would condone such techniques if elected mayor.
In the meantime, Mahan supporters have created an anti-Chavez web site that makes use of her identify because the URL, a sleazy and presumably unlawful marketing campaign tactic. The web site was created by Silicon Valley Biz PAC, a pro-business group that has endorsed her opponent.
Mahan at first didn't condemn the usage of the URL, as a substitute saying he was not concerned within the web site’s creation and that it was “well-researched.” On Tuesday, Mahan advised us that the PAC ought to use a distinct identify that doesn’t mislead guests of the web site: “I really feel the usage of her identify within the website’s area is deceptive and can unnecessarily contribute to voter cynicism about our political course of.”
It’s naïve to suppose that candidates and supporters ought to solely deal with a candidate’s strengths and never assault an opponent’s weaknesses. However when unbiased supporters cross the road, the candidates must denounce the techniques. How the candidates reply tells voters quite a bit about their ethics and the way they are going to govern if elected.