Editor:
Holy smokes! We have a new political party … or do we? At least in my end of the county (rural Weston) I see political signs for the independent choice. After wondering who or what these people are, I was a little concerned to learn that these folks formed an independent coalition after withdrawing their candidacy from the Republican primary. Why did they withdraw?
It seems that they felt that the commission was not going to allow them on the primary ballot because none of them followed the proper steps, i.e. filing the financial disclosure with the county clerk. The other candidates did, so it must not have been that big of a secret. They were NOT taken off the ballot by the commission and could have competed in the primary as Republicans, winner gets the nomination. It is also interesting that each of the independent candidates are seeking an office where attention to detail is a requirement, yet they missed the most basic requirement of filling out the proper paperwork for the primary!
Now I don’t know any of the candidates personally, Republican or independent. But the independent candidates have received a censure from the PCRCC which, as I understand it, will prevent them from ever running under the Republican banner in Platte County.
The independents’ answer? Solicit enough signatures to be placed on the ballot in November under the independent moniker. I’ve read where many of the signatures were gathered from nursing facilities, certainly a target-rich environment of easily influenced folks. What explanation were the signers given to get them to sign the petition? I don’t know but the signatures were certified and they are officially running, splitting what could turn out to be a very bad outcome. And don’t be deceived, at least one of the independent candidates was appointed to his position having never stood for election.
My opinion is that spite and revenge are poor reasons to seek a public office where trust and accountability are demanded. I am voting conservative Republican all the way down the ballot. I hope you will join me in keeping Platte County a conservative, Republican-led county.
Jim DeJarnatt
Weston
