Will Falsehoods and Fear Win This Election?

I am struck by the stark differences in the campaign materials being put out by the two candidates in the special election for Saratoga Springs Public Works Commissioner.

The two flyers below starkly dramatize the very different approaches of Chuck Marshall’s and Hank Kuczynski’s campaigns. One is positive and concrete. It lays out the credentials of its candidate and the things they specifically hope to accomplish if elected. It appeals to the the reason of those it is sent to. The other is inflammatory and intemperate. It plays on fear. It is an extension of the ugly behavior that has become the toxic footprint of the current Democratic members of the City Council.

Chuck Marshall’s Flyer

Hank Kuczynski’s Flyer

I am old school. I believe campaigns should not be based on false fear-mongering but on honest, straightforward information. It is perfectly appropriate to run ads that are critical of opponents but they should be based on fact.

It is extremely depressing to me that my party, Democratic, has decided to adopt the very methods that they condemn when exercised by Republicans.

The Kuczynski campaign is flooding people’s texts and phones following the public relations theory: Repeat a lie often enough, and people will believe it.

This is a sample of a voice message being sent to people’s devices:

“Hi …, my name is Susan Cohen. I’m with the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. I’m calling to let you know that we have a special election on January 28 for commissioner of the department of public Works. As you may know, Hank Kochinski [JK: AI has a problem with Hank’s name]] is now the interim DPW chief and we’d like to keep him in that role unfortunately due to some underhanded power grabbing by the Republicans [JK: My emphasis] our candidate Hank is a right candidate so we’re asking you please write in Hank’s last name”

The Simple Truth

There is no question that the effort to fill the vacancy of Public Works Commissioner once Jason Golub resigned was confusing and convoluted.

Chuck Marshall, the Republican and One Saratoga candidate, carried out his due diligence. He consulted with an attorney steeped in election law to assist him in understanding what was going on and filed the necessary papers on time to get on the ballot.

For whatever reason, the fact is Moran and the city Democratic Committee chair, Otis Maxwell, failed to submit the nomination of a candidate to the Board of Elections. For those of us who have observed these people, it was unsurprising that they lacked the prudence to consult a lawyer.

To spin this craziness that Moran and Maxwell were the victims in some sort of brilliant scheme that also involves a corrupt judiciary is to exaggerate the skills of the Republicans and ignore the culpability of the Democrats.

For the Democratic Committee to now try to hide their ineptitude and run a campaign that they were the victims in all of this is ridiculous.

The Democrats have a commanding edge in registrations over the Republicans, but they must get people to write in their candidate’s name. Will the Democrats’ game plan work in spite of their ineptitude? Who knows?

Early voting continues through Sunday, January 26 at the Rec Center. Regular polling places will be open on election day, Tuesday, January 28.