Dear Editor,

Many comments are made during an election for local, state, or national levels about candidates. There are many “quotes” attributed to specific candidates.  These comments may or may not have been quoted correctly, or as is often the case, the quotes are taken out of context or only partially quoted. 

If you are in the voting district for a candidate and want to know how and why they voted on a piece of legislation, contact them and speak to them directly.  Please don’t base your votes on hearsay and rumors.     

Everyone that legally has the right to vote should exercise their right, as I plan to. When I cast my vote for a candidate, I will consider the best choice for myself, my family and the industry that I work in. I will continue to support those candidates that are “building friendly” as this is how I provide for my family.  

I also consider where the candidate’s campaign contributions are coming from and who the candidate is aligning themselves with. Most of us have watched candidates who are supported by one group or another find themselves indebted and make their votes accordingly.

Almost all candidates receive financial support from individuals and corporations, however, where the money is coming from and the leaders of those organizations should matter in your vote. Do these leaders and groups stand for your values?

For instance, on the most recent campaign finance report, Rebecca Kubacki received money from a wide range of individuals, corporations and associations; in contrast, Curt Nisly received $15,000 from the Lunch Pail Republicans (which amounts to more than 50% of all donations he has received to date).

Does it matter that such a large portion of Mr. Nisly’s campaign funds came from the Lunch Pail Republicans – a group widely known to be strong supporters of unions and organized labor? I don’t say all this as an endorsement of one candidate or another. But I think it’s important for everyone in our community to do their own research and then make an educated vote.

Who you choose to vote for is your choice, just as who I choose to vote for is my choice. It will be based on firsthand knowledge, not hearsay, rumors, or as a result of a letter writing campaign designed to discredit one candidate in particular. Speak to the candidates running for office. Investigate who their financial backers are. Form your own opinion and please vote.

Brett Harter
Leesburg