Clark County council chair candidates pledge clean campaign

Clark County council chair candidates, from left, Marc Boldt, no party preference, and Mike Dalesandro, Democrat

Clark County council chair candidates, from left, Marc Boldt, no party preference, and Mike Dalesandro, Democrat

Clark County council chair candidates Mike Dalesandro, a Democrat, and Marc Boldt, no party preference, made a very important announcement earlier this week: they’re planning to get along this election.

“Both candidates have committed to run campaigns that are free of personal attacks, hyperbole, and nasty political rhetoric,” the joint press release read. “They, and their campaign teams, affirm that they will focus on issues surrounding Clark County governance and their own experience and abilities. Both candidates look forward to productive discussions about the role of Chair of the Clark County Council, and how that position can serve the citizens of Clark County. They and their campaign teams and consultants will operate in this manner, and they urge their supporters to join them in doing so.”

Awwuh.

I teased both candidates about this a little bit—I think the word I used was “adorable”—but assuming both candidates stick to it, this may be a refreshing change from the usual sound and fury that accompanies elections.

It certainly represents a shift for both candidates. Dalesandro and Boldt were both critical of the current councilors during the primary. Dalesandro called his opponents, including former county commissioner Boldt, “status quo” candidates, and has called the current council “divisive.” Boldt too has been critical of the current councilors, saying the council has pursued divisive politics that have destroyed county relationships.

Those on board with this friendlier style of campaigning will certainly see this as the first step toward ending the same divisiveness this council is so often criticized for. We’ll see how voters respond in November.

Kaitlin Gillespie

Kaitlin Gillespie

I'm the education reporter at The Columbian. Get in touch at kaitlin.gillespie@columbian.com or 360-735-4517.

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