At the risk of being compared to the church preacher who, upon looking down from his pulpit and seeing a standing-room-only congregation rather than praising everyone in attendance, chose to chastise all those who were not present last week and most likely would not be present next week, I extend congratulations and a sincere thank you to the Bucks County Herald and the Bucks County League of Woman Voters (LWV).
You both did your part — as far as it goes.
The Bucks County Herald, in concert with the LWV, published the 2023 Voters Guide today. Bucks County voters will now be afforded an opportunity to review responses, and gain a degree of governmental understanding, of 367 candidates running for a variety of offices, from county commissioner to borough council, in the May 16 primary election.
Similar to the delight of the church preacher upon seeing a standing-room-only congregation, I am delighted that the Herald and LWV have put forth the effort to create the 2023 Voters Guide. However, I miss election seasons of the past when newspaper reporters and editorial boards personally interviewed candidates for countywide office.
Stopping short of a newspaper actually “telling” readers who to vote for, many voters benefited from reading the “impression” candidates made upon editorial board members (those who knew them best) when reported in local media.
Similarly, when the LWV hosted in-person candidate debates voters could personally observe a candidate’s ease at addressing governmental issues or ability to handle opponent pressure.
Yes, Bucks County voters will receive insight into candidate readiness for office with the publication of the 2023 Voters Guide.
But if that is the extent of candidate exposure to voters before Election Day is it not unlike a four-course dinner that ends after the salad is served?
Andy Warren is a former Bucks County Commissioner, who is running for the Republican nomination to the board of commissioners on May 16.
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