Prescott’s Doug Eckenrod for Yavapai County Sheriff: What Is The True Value Of Endorsements?
Editors’ Note: In our recent voter guide, we noted that due to limited resources, we can’t give opinions on every race in Arizona. However, we would ike to join with the Arizona Law Enforcement Association in suggesting that, in the primary race, you vote for Doug Eckenrod for Sheriff in Yavapai County.
There are many who think that endorsements mean little to nothing when it comes to support for one candidate over another. And there is also the thought an endorsement is a significant show of support, hopefully for the right candidate.
Having been a campaign manager, my perspective is a little bit unique and much more circumspect. Endorsements can be very beneficial depending on:
1. Who the endorsement comes from.
2. What is the organization’s background or political leanings, (if any)?
3. Did the endorsed candidate seek said endorsement or did the endorsing person or organization seek the candidate?
4. Do the values and integrity of the endorsing organization (or individual), and the values and integrity of the candidate align with each other?
5. Does the endorsing organization or endorsing individual and the endorsed candidate represent the highest and best interest for the benefit of the people the candidate will be elected to represent and serve?
Unfortunately, the significant importance of the above outlined five (5) criteria has taken a back seat far too often for many endorsements I have personally witnessed, which for the most part fall into three (3) categories: 1. Follow the Money. 2. Undying Blind Loyalty, and 3. The infamous Quid-Pro-Quo.
Follow the money: Far too often such an endorsement is given to the candidate who will do the bidding once elected, of those special interest groups or individuals, or companies wanting special favors in the way of authoring, supporting, or changing laws.
Undying Blind Loyalty: This is the one that has always baffled me the most. So many times, I have asked individuals, elected officials and other candidates why they are voting for or providing an endorsement for a certain candidate. How sad when I hear “because they voted for me” or because “they gave my campaign financial support, so I owe them the same”. Whatever happened to; I am supporting and endorsing this candidate because they are the best candidate to serve the People.
The Infamous Quid-Pro-Quo: In many ways very similar too: Follow the money, with one very important caveat attached; A complete lack of integrity on the side of one or both; that of the candidate and or the endorser, normally followed by; If you do this for me than I’ll do this for you. No, you should only endorse the best, period!
So, allow me to take this opportunity and express the importance of the above five (5) criteria as they relate to the significant endorsement of Doug Eckenrod by the Arizona Law Enforcement Association.
1. This endorsement comes from one of the most reputable and seemingly largest Law Enforcement organizations representing more than 33 law enforcement agencies in our great state of Arizona.
2. The AZLEA: Mission Statement: The objectives of the Association shall be to improve working conditions, wages, economic and personal security, to ensure the safety of its members in the workplace, to promote the economic, legislative, educational, and political interest of its members, and to foster a sense of camaraderie among its members. My personal interpretation of their Mission Statement is very simple: The better we treat our law enforcement the better and safer are our streets, our cities, our communities, and our individual lives.
3. My understanding is this organization reached out to Mr. Eckenrod and asked him to interview for their endorsement. What an honor an a tribute to be recognized for one’s ability and commitment to the men and women who dawn the uniform to Protect and to Serve.
4. When it comes to values and the integrity of the candidate and the endorsing organization I cannot see any daylight between them.
5. The endorsement of Dough Eckenrod by one of Arizona’s largest and most influential Law Enforcement and member-based organizations is a testament to their confidence in Mr. Eckenrod that he will always place the highest level of importance on the men and women who he will oversee and in-turn create an environment of trust, security, transparency and a true sense of community to those he is elected to serve.
Congratulations to Mr. Doug Eckenrod on your well-deserved endorsement from the Arizona Law Enforcement Association.
*****
David (Cowboy Dave) Segall is chair of The Arizona Republican Assembly of Yavapai County but the above represents his personal opinion and not that of AZRA or any of their participating members.
