When I began my campaign for senate in an overwhelmingly red district, I anticipated lots of pushback from members of the opposing party. What I did not anticipate was the blowback from people who were supposedly on my side of the ideological fence.
Case in point: I was invited to a candidate forum hosted by some of the most right-leaning Republicans. As the only Democrat to agree to attend, I knew I was entering the lion’s den but decided it was worth it to 1) show that I was not afraid to speak to the group, 2) hopefully introduce these folks to an actual Democrat and 3) persuade them to vote for me.
The event was packed and many of the candidates for local races were espousing the typical right-wing talking points about banning books in school libraries and talking about how they were the “true” MAGA Republican over their opponent, who once was registered as (gasp) a Democrat.
I knew that I was out of my element but I was determined to have my few minutes on stage.
Then, my phone began receiving texts, all of them from the same person, a friend who pledged to support my campaign through advice and donations.
“Very few legitimate candidates are going. Sad you are giving them credibility,” it read beneath a promotion for the forum. “Disappointed.”
I replied. “I want to show that I’m not afraid of them.”
“No. You are SUPPORTING them,” the reply said. “You are losing support by being there :(“
I continued to listen to the candidates state their cases, waiting for my turn on stage.
”KKK is having a regroup meeting next week so you might want to add that one to your agenda also,”
another text read.
When it was my race’s turn at the microphone, I stepped up and found myself face-to-face with my opponent. I had my opportunity to introduce myself and I made the case that I am a Democrat who believes we are served best by a two-party system. When our area turned majority red, the Republican party took our district for granted and Democrats stopped fielding candidates for what was surely a losing effort. Then, we had two choices for candidates: Like it or Lump it.
The crowd didn’t boo, hiss or get up to storm out. Instead, they politely listened to my case and I and my opponent answered questions civilly, ending the forum with a handshake.
“I am lucky that I attended because my opponent showed up,” I said in a continuation of the text chain, and got the immediate reply, “Hmmmm. He must support extremism also.”
I had enough.
“I do not support extremism,” I wrote. “I stood up and stated my case. This is an unfair characterization. If I don’t fight for our rights, who is going to do it? I need Republicans to put me in office.”
Later, I got questioned about some answers I put on a questionnaire for endorsement by an LGBTQ+ group.
“You used the word transsexual. That word is passe. Everyone uses the word transgender now,” was one of the comments. “Also, you stated that you believed store owners should have the right to refuse service to LGBTQ clients. That raised a red flag with us,” the interviewer said.
I explained that I would like to have the ability to refuse an advertisement in my newspaper that promoted a KKK rally, and that should be my prerogative. However, the interviewer pointed out that being a member of a hate group was a choice while being LGBTQ+ or Black is not. I conceded that point.
Another question I fumbled was whether a religious adoption agency should be forced to place a child with a same-sex couple. I said that state agencies should have to be fair and treat all couples equally but legislating a religious entity would cross the barrier between church and state. That was the wrong answer if I wanted to get that endorsement.
I am learning that it’s not the hits you are expecting that hurt the worst. It is the hits from those who are supposedly on your side that leave the biggest scars. Playing around in politics is not for the weak. It takes a very thick skin and the ability to listen and understand those whose views may not align perfectly. It is also a learning opportunity. And being a moderate means you are pushed and pulled from all sides.
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I am learning that it’s not the hits you are expecting that hurt the worst. It is the hits from those who are supposedly on your side that leave the biggest scars.
Lisa Newell is a candidate for Florida Senate District 1