A Baldwin County voter said she was shocked by a social media reply from the campaign Facebook page of State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley) when she called campaign mailers “junk mail.” However, Holk-Jones said there is a misunderstanding.
The now-deleted response by the Jones campaign told Lara Arend to “unregister.”
“I think it's very tacky,” Arend told 1819 News. “I don't think it's appropriate for someone in office to tell you to unregister to vote. I mean, that's belittling. It's kind of like trying to make you sound like you're not capable of making a decision.”
However, Holk-Jones said her campaign posted the reply to suggest Arend remove personal information from voter registration records, not to unregister to vote.
“Clearly, we were not suggesting that the commenter unregister to vote, though I understand now how the wording could have been interpreted that way, and that was not the intent,” Holk-Jones stated.
After hearing from constituents and other candidates about the large volume of mailers, Holk-Jones clarified that her campaign has sent three mailers.
“I am totally in agreement with her about the volume of mail,” stated Holk-Jones. “In fact, in our next session, I am going to introduce a bill giving voters the ability to opt out of campaign communications. The quantity and tone of the communications in this election cycle is not just offensive to me as a candidate, but also offensive to me as a voter.”
Holk-Jones said she understands Arend’s frustrations with mailers after receiving them herself and being on the receiving end of attacks.
“And it’s not just me,” Holk-Jones said. “Other public officials, including Matt Simpson here in Baldwin County and others across the state, have dealt with the same type of messaging this election cycle. In some cases, I believe what’s being pushed is outright libel, so I completely understand where her frustration is coming from.”
The primary election is on May 19.
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