By Mercedes Price-Harry, Chairwoman of the Lee County GOP Executive Committee | LeeGOP.org
As Chairwoman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee, I am calling on voters and candidates to reject the growing use of attack ads, negative mailers and online smear tactics in our local elections. These practices have become increasingly common in Lee County elections over the last decade. They run directly counter to the core objectives of the Republican Party and undermine the kind of political process all Lee County voters deserve.
The Lee County Republican Executive Committee exists to advance seven specific objectives, which can be found at LeeGOP.org. Political attack ads work against every one of them. Three are especially harmed: fostering loyalty to the Republican Party, promoting an informed electorate and seeking qualified Republicans to represent us.
Party loyalty is built on shared principles, mutual respect and a commitment to advancing Republican values. Misleading mailers, social media smear campaigns and PAC-driven attacks fracture the Party, create distrust and turn neighbors against one another instead of uniting us around common values and goals. Voters also deserve accurate information about candidates’ qualifications, public records, ideas and policy positions. Distorted or highly selective attacks do the opposite. They confuse voters, bury substance beneath personal accusations and substitute emotion for informed judgment.
This culture of political attacks also discourages capable, community-minded citizens from running for office. Many people who would make strong public servants see the personal attacks, reputational harm and coordinated smear campaigns directed at candidates and decide the cost is too high for their families and professional lives. When qualified people stay on the sidelines, our entire community loses.
Political smear campaigns do not represent the kind of culture voters expect from their leaders. For the future of Lee County, I am asking two things. First, I ask the electorate to reject these tactics. Do not reward attack ads. Look beyond glossy negative mailers and inflammatory social media posts. Research the candidates at LeeGOP.org/candidates, view livestreams from various candidate forums, review campaign finance reports, and judge candidates by their ideas, records, qualifications, and character rather than by the worst claims made against them by third parties with an agenda.
Second, I ask every candidate to refuse to engage in or benefit from these practices. Leadership requires candidates to publicly reject character assassination, misleading attacks and personal smears, even when those attacks are directed at their opponents or appear to benefit their own campaigns.
Lee County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country. We need serious, qualified, and solutions-oriented Republicans who are willing to step forward and lead. As a community, we suffer when we fail to raise the standard of our campaigns.
The Lee County Republican Executive Committee created the Ethical Campaign and Accountability Initiative, known as ECAI, for exactly this reason. ECAI calls on Republican candidates in Lee County to conduct their campaigns with integrity, transparency, respect, accountability and substance. Participating candidates voluntarily complete a questionnaire and sign a written commitment to ethical campaign standards. Information about ECAI and participating candidates is available at LeeGOP.org/ECAI.
The choice is ours. We can continue down a path that maligns the character and reputation of neighbors who are bold enough to step forward, deters qualified people from running, leaves voters cynical and creates divisions that may be difficult to repair. Or we can restore honor to our political process, protect the Republican Party’s objectives and elect leaders based on the strength of their qualifications, records, ideas and policy positions.
I urge every Republican in Lee County to choose the better path.
Be an Informed Republican Voter
Republican voters should begin preparing now for both the Aug. 18 primary election and the Nov. 3 general election. Review the candidates, confirm your registration and voting information, and make your decisions based on qualifications, records, ideas and character rather than attack ads or social media accusations.
LeeGOP remains neutral in contested Republican primaries and endorses Republican candidates who are unopposed. Voters can visit LeeGOP.org/Candidates to access candidate websites, watch available forum videos and learn more about those seeking office.
Voters should also look for the Ethical Campaign and Accountability Initiative, or ECAI, badge. The badge identifies candidates who completed the ECAI questionnaire and signed a commitment to campaign with truthfulness, transparency, respect and accountability. It is not an endorsement, but it provides voters with additional information about a candidate’s willingness to publicly accept ethical campaign standards. An asterisk beside a candidate’s name identifies a member of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee and should not be interpreted as an endorsement in a contested primary.
For the Aug. 18 primary election, the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Aug. 6. Early voting is scheduled for Aug. 8 through Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For the Nov. 3 general election, the deadline to register or update a voter registration is Oct. 5. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 22. Early voting is scheduled for Oct. 19 through Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Candidate interviews, community updates and local Republican conversations are also available through the LeeGOP YouTube channel at @TeamLeeGOP.
Get informed. Get involved. Get ready to vote.
