I’m scratching my head as I read the Star Ledger’s editorial endorsement of Jennifer Beck over Ellen Karcher for state senate in the 12th Legislative District.
With only a pair of sitting legislators to choose from, the editors had a tough pick when selecting from two qualified and accomplished lawmakers.
What’s troubling is the Ledger's posture this election season to limit their endorsements to just a few races – one so far – despite the fact that all 120 seats are up for grabs.
Here’s how they see it: “For the most part, the outcome of Tuesday's elections isn't much in question. Gerrymandering has carved up the state to ensure that the vast majority of the 40 legislative districts are havens for either Democrats or Republicans. So the real election battles come down to just a handful of districts, if that” (“Beck for state Senate”,10/31/07).
So what’s the message to voters? Stay home because you could not possibly make a difference next Tuesday?
There’s a lot at stake this cycle. Have the editors forgotten their past stories ranging from residents fleeing the state due to their tax burden to the need for across-the-board ethics reform?
Here’s how we see it: State legislative elections have one of the lowest turnouts of all statewide races. On average, just 30-40 % of registered voters cast ballots.
Yet a campaign manager’s greatest fear on Election Day is concern over the unknown – independents, particularly those untargeted, showing up to vote. Trust me on this one — I used to run campaigns.
Given the Star-Ledger editorial board’s past angst over spiraling property taxes and ethics loopholes, they should have led by example. Make endorsements in every district because every vote does count.
