Op/Ed: Political Games in 22nd Senatorial District Election

By Polly Jefferson

While the committee, made up of nine chairmen and representatives from both campaigns, worked through three conference calls to finalize its draft rules, the Peake campaign is now asking for a complete overhaul to the balloting procedures.

Let me just add a quick disclaimer.  I am a rules person.  I believe in the rules and in the right and responsibility of a convention to adopt its rules of governance. So, let’s get the record straight on one thing: No matter what a committee may draft in advance, the delegates of the convention have the right to accept or reject those rules.

Now that we have that out of the way, back to the last minute changes.

Why would a campaign participate in numerous calls to ensure fair rules are drafted and then a week after all the rules have been finalized in draft form by the committee, and after the draft rules have been printed for review, and after the items have been purchased for balloting, would they want to make these last minute changes?

I cannot answer that. Maybe it was, after all, really because some of the senior members of his staff were out hunting? Sounds plausible given their social media posts. Regardless, this sort of last minute power grab seems to be inconsiderate to those working the hardest to ensure a fair process. I think I would feel differently had the campaign been shut out of the process or if they felt that the rules were unfair, regardless of their objections; because after all, a campaign has a right to fight for fair rules.  

This is all on top of several other issues which have come before our committee regarding the Peake campaign “letting things go” so to speak.

Early on during the pre-file process dozens of pre-files were submitted to the county committee lacking the signature required on the statement of intent.

During calls made by chairmen to ensure delegates were aware of a venue change, a few can attest to being told by delegates that they were unaware they had been signed up, or that they were actually Democrats.

This raises the question about the validity of unsigned forms. Did a campaign staffer submit forms they filled out (not the delegate) and does this create a problem that should be addressed in future campaigns? Why were pre-files submitted that the voter didn’t know about? These are all issues that will be reviewed by the Credentials Committee.

With all the talk about shenanigans, rigged systems, and draining the swamp, I wonder why Mr. Peake feels it necessary to further muck-up the waters with these types of political games.