I am now a veteran of four campaigns for my own election, beginning twenty years ago when I ran for State Assembly (against Andrea Seastrand). People say politics has changed since then, that it has become more partisan and bitter, with a “no holds barred” approach toward attacking one’s opponents.
Maybe so. The last week has provided some evidence of that in my own campaign. I failed to return a donation of two bottles of wine from a friend and supporter, Adam Hill, who I’d invited as the guest of honor at our main campaign party on September 23. I disclosed this “non-monetary contribution” as required, and directed that we write a check back to Adam for the (assumed) value of the wine, about $30. The Tribune reports today that I’ve had to pay a $250 fine for having accepted a campaign contribution in excess of the $200 limit – basically we refunded too little, and too late, to avoid a technical violation of the law.
And as you saw in yesterday’s editorial in the Tribune, I had already received a “slap on the wrist” brickbat – though they reserved their most severe criticism for my opponent, Kevin Rice, for having generated these complaints in the first place!
I’m no stranger to getting brickbats from the Tribune, and I’m always willing to “own up” when I make a mistake. As the Tribune has stated, however, “we’re sick and tired of this self-righteous brand of ‘gotcha’ campaigning that blows the slightest misstep or misstatement out of proportion.”
I am anxious to get back to the issues as soon as possible – how to manage the growing presence of the homeless in our city; how to maintain the fiscal integrity of the City; how to continue to provide quality municipal services while maintaining reasonable utility rates.
I still have a few reusable “Re-Elect Ashbaugh” grocery bags, if you haven’t yet gotten yours – and we have a dwindling supply of yard signs too, so contact me. Naturally, we are still accepting contributions, too – as long as it is cash, and as long as your cumulative contributions won’t exceed the City’s $200 per person limit!