We all should have received our ballots in the mail over the Mother’s day weekend. Most of us know there has been a lot of game playing in the primary this year. Perhaps the most bizarre is two Republican activists filed as Democrats. James Whitaker filed in Senate District 12 and Mark Winters in Senate District 11. Both men have consistently lied about their political affiliation. Even the chair of the local Republican Central Committee has said he does not believe they are Democrats.
And speaking of sleazy electoral moves, long term local Libertarian Party leaders have filed as Republicans. Tony Rosales filed in House District 20 and Kevin Leatherbarrow filed in House in House District 22. This pair has run for office repeatedly. Apparently they are tired of being Libertarian losers.
We should not forget that our current County Attorney, Josh Racki and Sheriff Jesse Slaughter switched from being Democrats to join the Republican Party. Obviously both of them were more committed to their own political careers than the platforms of either party. Neither of them has a democratic challenger in this election.
All of this maneuvering is a product of the current war in the local Republican Party between traditional Republicans like Ed Buttrey and George Nikakalakos and Republicans who wear tin hats to bed like Steven Galloway and Randy Pinocci.
This is a photo of a voter guide put out by the far-right contingent of the local Republican Party. If you know people who plan to vote in the Republican Primary you should give them this list (After recommending counseling and deprogramming). Let them know these are the extremists in politics everyone is complaining about.
I will be using the republican ballot this primary in attempt to get rid of Slaughter. He’s about as qualified to be sheriff as Pete Hegseth is to be secretary of defense. He has created a culture of unprofessionalism in the department which is palpable throughout the county. It never used to be this way.
He applauds the actions of a deputy who escalated a very ordinary situation into a murder, and then awards the guy with a citation and a new gun. What the hell? Is that really the leadership he brings to the department? It’s not the leadership that we in the public want or deserve.
Shoot first and worry about protocol later is bullshit law enforcement. Gunning down our neighbors over kitty litter is no way to garner the support and admiration of the public. Sowing fear, suspicion and distrust in every future interaction with the public is what will now happen. When we see a deputy approaching our property, we will now have to worry if it’s a psycho cop having a bad day.
In his new safety budget request, I suggest that Jesse include money for not only DUI checkpoints, but also kitty litter checkpoints. It just might save a life some day!