GUILFORD-Though I was sorry to learn that our state representative, Sara Coffey, was not running for re-election, I was able to spend time with Zon Eastes, who addresses my priorities as a candidate for her replacement.
Zon has experience working within the State House, so he won't be taking on the job as a complete novice to the system. As the head of the Selectboard, he understands the rules and challenges of governing, even a small town like Guilford.
But most importantly, I was impressed by his honesty, transparency, and integrity.
Unlike his primary challenger, Jason Herron, he has chosen to run as a Democrat because the party platform represents his values. It provides voters with a basic understanding that despite any differences of opinion we may have, the foundation of his beliefs are represented by this choice.
Most disturbing to me is that despite Herron repeating conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines, his concern about "cheating" seems to have been put aside with his decision to run as a Democrat.
His beliefs are not in alignment with the values of the Democratic Party platform. And he's encouraging our neighbors to engage in this kind of cheating and gaming of the very system that lies at the heart of a successful democracy! I don't expect him to acknowledge this glaring hypocrisy, but I see it and care. Coming up with ways to win that are not above board - that doesn't sit right with me.
I feel lucky that Zon has stepped up and wants to take on the job of state representative, and I hope my friends and neighbors will vote for him in both the primary in August and the general election in November.
I am so over politicians who lie or who think they can do anything to get what they want, including misleading their neighbors, just because they have the money to hire lawyers or buy full-page ads in newspapers.
That a community will not always agree or have the same priorities is a given. Misrepresenting yourself or your vision for that community shouldn't be.
Debbie Jacobs
Guilford
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