Misleading Mailer Claims Anonymous Support
While of obvious importance to the functioning of our government, the Judicial races in North Carolina have historically seen a tremendous drop-off in terms of votes cast as compared to offices higher up on the ballot.
Among the reasons for this would be the “non-partisan” nature of these offices. Many who vote straight party ticket mistakenly assume that they are also casting a ballot for the judicial candidates, but this is not the case. Others simply don’t know the candidates, and thus don’t vote.
The political parties have made an effort in recent years to inform their constituencies of the candidates most living up to the standards that would be expected by party faithful. The candidates, however, usually shy away from overtly claiming party support themselves. The races are, after all, “non partisan”.
Enter Judge Tim Smith.
Tim Smith Mailer
A mailer was recently sent to active Republican voters in Mecklenburg County by the Tim Smith campaign asking voters, “Why do Leading Republicans Believe Judge Tim Smith is the Right Choice?”
That’s actually a good question considering Judge Smith’s history.
The Judicial Standards Commission has twice reprimanded him since his 2006 election – once for inappropriately using the power of his judicial office to help his sister, once for outbursts against prosecutors trying cases against his wife.
Outbursts weren’t limited to the courtroom either. Earlier this year, a belligerent Tim Smith verbally sparred with Republican Party volunteers as he attempted to gain access to the Mecklenburg GOP County Convention, which was limited to only Mecklenburg registered Republicans.
Judge Smith and his wife are also both known as active supporters and contributors to the Democrat Party. His wife Jackie filed for the NC House as a Democrat to run against Rep. Thom Tillis, but later withdrew. Records show a 2008 donation to the campaign of now Senator Kay Hagan, a Democrat.
The picture below speaks for itself.
Tim Smith and John Edwards
The mailer never discloses any names or claims any specific support from anyone in particular, leaving the question to be asked, “So who are these leading Republicans supporting Tim Smith”?
In a follow-up with the Charlotte Observer, Smith is quoted as saying, “There are some leading Republicans who support me, but who prefer to remain anonymous.”
Now those are some die-hard supporters…certainly justification for sending out a mail piece that touts their silent support.
The Republican Party has gone to lengths to distance itself from the claims made in the mailer citing, “The mailer was clearly meant to deceive Republican voters into believing that Tim Smith has the support of the Republican Party and conservative leaders across Mecklenburg County. This is simply not true.”
Republican Party material shows support for Tim Smith’s opponent, Matt Osman.
It remains to be seen what impact such a mail piece will have on the outcome of the election. Clearly, this was intended to plant an image in voter’s minds contrary to the reality of the candidate.
We should expect more from our Judges.
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