Why 'All Politics' Should Not Be Local
By Charlie Payne
GUEST OPINION WRITER
The 47th Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, famously coined the phrase “All politics is local” after losing his first election for the Cambridge, Massachusetts, City Council. The phrase has been interpreted in several ways, but is more commonly known to mean that what motivates voters the most are local issues.
I would argue that politics, especially political parties, should not be first and forefront in local elections. In fact, I would argue that party labels (or endorsements from the same in lieu of placing a party candidate on the ballot) for local elections should be prohibited.
I certainly understand that political parties play an important role in the ongoing political experiment that is American Democracy, but they are the primary force behind our polarized nation that is deteriorating both our national and state political systems.
The last line of defense for democracy is local government, as it is truly on the front line of ensuring necessary government services like schools, public safety, parks and recreation, and affordable tax policies to ensure that our citizens are able to live a positive quality of life and to raise their children in a safe and harmonious environment.
Given these are the core functions of local government, then why the need for national political party labels?
Political parties are notorious for divisive primary battles, cutthroat vengeful actions, and intimidation tactics. What does any of this have to do with ensuring our children are educated, our fire and police departments are funded, or that we have supportive healthcare facilities and care?
My late father, Togie Payne, was a former member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I recall him saying that introducing party politics at the local level was contrary to the “community spirit” of local politics that put the county and its citizens first and not the party that nominated you.
As a Falmouth District representative, he used to say: “I love Falmouth, but the County more.” His point being that local politicians should prioritize the community’s best interest over their own reelection prospects.
I am a firm believer that independence at the local level will go a long way in protecting our overall political system. This independence could be a catalyst for change that we desperately need today in our democratic system.
It may also encourage more citizens to be engaged in local politics versus sitting on the sidelines as the polarized voices of discontent control the direction of our local communities.
It is time for a change, and local government and its citizens have the power to put communities first and to leave the political parties to their inevitable self-destruction.
Charlie Payne is a local attorney.
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I agree with Mr. Payne but how can we drop the political affiliations from the local Boards? I’d vote for that measure.
The city did not have endorsed ballot at the precincts until one party decided to do it in 2015. I think it was Galloway/Hilliard in the Senate/House run. Endorsement Ballots work: They won in 'The City'. (to this day, the GOP will not use them). Until the 2015 Election, we had a favored 'Fredericksburg Tradition' of not doing this aka, 'We get along with each other. We don't have a D or R by a candidate's name, like counties in VA do. We're 'The City'. We're Above That'. Actually, The Party Endorsement Ballot in 2015 was not 'a membership' decision. It was Caitlin Durham, Dem Chair, who made the decision then called a few members of the Exec Board by phone until she had the majority number and stopped calling. It's doubtful any were thinking of the divisive LOCAL impact. She had printed 1000s of The Party Endorsement Ballots which had to be discarded because they did not have the required text on them: 'Paid for by ____. Not authorized by any candidate, etc'. Local attorney Walt Sheffied repeatedly asked for the Party Membership Minutes to see how this decision to have the first Endorsement by Party Ballot was made. There were none because there was no meeting. The Party Endorsement Ballot was used again in July 2024. This time, not even the Exec Board, knew that it was going to be an agenda item or that a significant vote would be taken that night. The agenda was released late. It had 'sample ballot'. The room was filled with 'new members' never seen before at the previous meetings. A member questioned the late agenda release, the generality of the term 'sample ballot', was shrugged off as 'it's just semantics'. Contentious tone in the room. Rude interruptions of more respected, longtimer members/previous Chair calmly explaining 'Not in favor of Endorsement ballot because it's going to split the city', as in political tribes. All pleas ignored by the 'new majority' showing that night to overwhelmingly vote for The Party Endorsement Ballot. Even the Soil & Water Conservation candidate pointed out, 'I don't need this endorsement. I'm the only one running.' Most telling that for subsequent meetings, only 1 or 2 'New Majority' showed up. Proving they were brought in just for this vote with behind the scenes manipulation. So Charlie Payne's commentary 'Why 'All Politics' Should Not Be Local?' We're living the divisiveness of The Party Endorsement Ballot. To Drew's comment, 'BAN THE PARTY ENDORSEMENT BALLOT FOR LOCAL CANDIDATES' in the Spirit of Community and Goodwill 4 Fredericksburg.