Letter: Candidates should disclose advocacy affiliations

Posted 4/28/22

To the editor:

As I was reading last week's Phoenix, I came across an article/notification regarding the Bristol County Concerned Citizens group promoting and hosting a speech by Erika Sanzi, a …

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Letter: Candidates should disclose advocacy affiliations

Posted

To the editor:

As I was reading last week's Phoenix, I came across an article/notification regarding the Bristol County Concerned Citizens group promoting and hosting a speech by Erika Sanzi, a self proclaimed "education expert" and proponent of charter schools, homeschooling, and school vouchers. And while Erika is best known for her radical ideas regarding public education, she usually saves most of her wrath and venom for unionized teachers and teachers unions in general. In addition, her speech comes on the heels of the BCCC hosting a recent speech by Pat Morgan, a controversial state representative and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate best known for her numerous racist and homophobic public comments which were pretty much universally condemned, even by members of her own Republican Party.

And while the BCCC has every right in the world to host speeches by anyone they want, what concerns me is the fact that a number of past candidates for local and statewide office have embraced the BCCC and happily accepted their endorsement. And once again, these candidates have every right to associate themselves with the BCCC and accept their endorsement, but it appears some of these candidates try to hide their affiliation with the BCCC in order to appeal to a larger audience.

I hope that come election time, Bristol voters will do their homework and research which candidates are endorsed by the BCCC, the same group that hosts and embraces such controversial figures as Erika Sanzi and Pat Morgan, and I also hope that the candidates in our upcoming elections this Fall who are endorsed by the BCCC will be forthcoming and disclose their affiliation with the group. It's all about being honest and open with the voters, and giving the them the opportunity to make an informed decision on election day.

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.
Bristol

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