Local Elections? Stick To Local Issues
by Bill Gouveia for the Sun Chronicle
It is a sad commentary on our political system that elections have become less about the issues that actually fall within the jurisdiction of the elected positions themselves, and more about simply being an outlet for the hate and distrust so rampant throughout every level of government and society.
It is a sad commentary on our political system that elections have become less about the issues that actually fall within the jurisdiction of the elected positions themselves, and more about simply being an outlet for the hate and distrust so rampant throughout every level of government and society.
There is an old saying when it comes to elections: If you can dictate what is discussed, it greatly increases your chances of winning. Control the topics — control the election.
This philosophy is being used in the race for state senate in the Bristol and Norfolk district, which includes Foxboro, Mansfield, Norton, Rehoboth, Seekonk and half of Attleboro. In a rematch from just last year, incumbent Democratic Senator Paul Feeney of Foxboro will again face Attleboro Republican Jacob Ventura. In 2017, Feeney defeated Ventura, with an independent candidate also in the mix.
This time the race boils down to just the two, and the dynamics have changed. Feeney now has a record to run on and defend, and Ventura now can focus entirely on one opponent as well as touting his own qualifications.
But last week, Ventura made clear two of the top issues he intends to run on are illegal immigration and sanctuary cities. This is despite the fact neither of these controversial and emotional issues are actually before the state legislature, or likely to be. They generate much more political heat than actual impact on the constituents of the district.
Ventura is focusing on an old amendment to the budget — eventually defeated by the House — that would have limited exchanges of information between local police and federal immigration authorities. He claims this would have contributed to Massachusetts becoming “a sanctuary state,” and that such a move would hurt the fight against gangs like MS13.
He is backed by the conservative group Mass Fiscal Alliance, which targets Democratic elected officials with a social media assault on those very topics. They mailed fliers against many Democratic candidates just before the last election, and are the facing official complaints about failing to reveal their political donors as required by law.
Feeney says the group is a prime example of “dark money” political groups that seek to influence local elections from outside the districts.
There are so many crucial issues that should be the focus of debate between local candidates. State spending, local aid, educational funding, the opiate crisis, the MBTA, transparency in state government, infrastructure improvements, school building funding reform, and ongoing regional sewer issues just to name a few. Those are the things voters of the Bristol and Norfolk district expect their leaders to address.
Using the “dog whistle” topic of illegal immigration to attract attention is unwise and wrong. It’s an attempt to cash in on fear and distrust, and distracts from the very real issues a state senator should be taking on. It is a reflection of the current national election strategy – make people angry and defensive, then harness the negative energy to try and win office.
Too many elections lately have been driven by hatred and negativity rather than issues. Here’s hoping local voters don’t allow this to be yet another one.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and a longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
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