Barbara Sykes has sued her opponent in the auditors race - claiming her civil rights are being violated by a racially charged question in a poll of voters. The telephone poll, which contains a series of negative questions about Sykes' legislative record and other issues, also asks voters their opinion of Sykes being president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.
The poll sounds like soft racism too me. They wanted to let everyone know she was black. Why else would they mention the Democratic Black Caucus achievement and not any others? What kind of opponent pays a firm to call voters and tell them how great you are - unless they think one of your achievements unveils something that voters might hold against you - Like being black. And I believe - the Black Caucus was the only achievement they listed in the poll, did they mention her 25 years of experience? her 12 years as the Deputy Auditor of Administration for Summit County? her 3 terms in the Ohio House of Representatives? Nope - just what did voters think about her being president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. Hmm.
I'm not sure what this will do to the race for the auditors position but I think it was still the right thing to do.
From Openers:
Democrat Barbara Sykes has sued her opponent in the state auditor's race, Republican Mary Taylor, claiming her civil rights are being violated by a racially charged question in a poll of voters Taylor's campaign is conducting.
"What we want is for her to stop doing this push poll," Sykes said. "I can compete for this office, but the fact that I am African-American is not something I can change. It's not something I run away from and shouldn't be used against me in this race."
Crossposted at:As Ohio Goes