How to choose the right candidate

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Every year there is an election. President? US Senator? Congressman? Sometimes its Governor, Lt. Governor, State Representative or local mayor or aldermen.  There are a lot of decisions you must make, and every election seems to be “the most important of our lifetime.”  

So how do you choose? How do you decide for whom to vote?

Since I've been in politics, I've learned some of the common ways election decisions are made and most are not the right way to choose an elected official.

As the election approaches, we see more yard signs, we hear radio and TV ads and get cards delivered to our mailbox.  None of these really tell you much about the candidate because each candidate works on three or four points they feel will connect with the majority of their voters.  These points are generally written to allow the prospective voter to “interpret” the meaning to suit their beliefs.

Unfortunately, most elections come down to name ID.  The candidate with the greatest name ID wins.  I've also learned that where a candidate’s name is placed on the ballot makes a big difference in some elections.  The name Adams, will be listed before the other candidates with names like Smith or Zolkalski so the candidate with the last name Adams gets the advantage if it's a close race.

So, all of this begs the question: How should you choose a candidate?

If you are a political junky you may want to begin researching candidates on your own.  Listen to political speeches and ask questions.  You will need to ask specific questions of the candidates, record answers, and compare each candidate to your values and ideas. But unless you devote a large amount of time and energy to this pursuit you will never get a good picture of all the candidates.

But it's not impossible to be an informed voter.

Probably the single most important way to become an informed voter is to seek organizations that promote the ideals and policies that fit your views.

As a conservative, who is pro-life, pro-second amendment, and one who believes our lives are better served by a limited government, I seek organizations who promote those ideals.

How to choose an organization

Be careful with single issue organizations.  Take their endorsement with a grain of salt.  Politicians lie to these organizations.  I know of several times when a candidate convinced a state organization he was on their side, but within minutes of being elected reversed his position.  Don't forget, Politicians Lie! Watch what they do, how they vote, not just what they say.

The NRA is probably the largest single-issue organization that endorses candidates in the nation, but politicians have learned how to manipulate their endorsement.  The NRA has endorsed politicians who claim to support second amendment rights but fight to limit gun rights in other ways.  I'm not saying an NRA endorsement is useless, but it is not a guarantee the candidate will be good for our state or nation.

Also, some organizations use endorsements as ways to get their bills passed.  Empower Mississippi used to be an organization that only endorsed strong liberty minded candidates but have recently changed their strategy.  Now we find them promoting incumbents who vote for their specific bill but support many other issues that are contrary to the conservative people of Mississippi.   Senator Kevin Blackwell has fought against tax cuts, voted for tax increases and opposed legislation to make healthcare more affordable and available (because he owns a healthcare facility). He was called a “champion” by Empower Mississippi because he supported one of their bills. Rep. Shanda Yates, one of the most “woke” liberal members of the Mississippi legislature, was crowned by Empower Mississippi with a “Rise Award” because of one issue. Again, I’m not saying these organizations are useless but the endorsements of organizations like these should be considered carefully.

Here are some of the organizations I trust:

The Mississippi Freedom Caucus

The Mississippi Freedom Caucus requires candidates they endorse to complete a lengthy questionnaire and an interview.  Each candidate is discussed among the caucus members and the steering committee.   The answers of each candidate are researched and compared to the stated values and principles of the Freedom Caucus.  Also, if the candidate has served in any elected position in the past, their voting record and history in that position is researched.  No candidate is endorsed unless they meet the strict standards of the caucus and can show the caucus proof that once elected, they will not betray their beliefs and principles.

The Mississippi Freedom Caucus also tracks every vote made by the Mississippi legislature and grades every bill.  On the Caucus' bill tracker every bill is rated RED – YELLOW – GREEN.   This research is available to you so you can do your own personal research at www.FreedomVotes.ms.   If your candidate has voted for bills that have been scored RED they are voting against your liberty and freedom.

Restore-Liberty

Restore Liberty is a national organization that has a Mississippi chapter.  Restore Liberty does extensive research on candidates and has one of the strictest endorsement qualifications in the state.  They will also revoke endorsements if a candidate is elected and betrays their principles.  To find out who they have endorsed in Mississippi go to: https://restore-liberty.org/endorsements/mississippi-endorsements/

American Conservative Union

The American Conservative Union (ACU) produces a scorecard of state and federal legislators. Check out how your legislator scored. http://ratings.conservative.org/people?state=MS

Unfortunately, people tend to complain about politicians except their own.   Incumbents generally get re-elected because people just vote for who they know. Don't vote for friends, church members, co-workers, just because you know them.  

The decisions that are going to be made by those you elect shape the future of our nation, our state, and our communities.  These decisions are too important to simply vote for someone who is a friend. 

This is not about friendship, its about saving our country by advancing conservative principles.