Not a Pretty Picture

We recently received two flyers paid for by the Bruce Porter campaign. The piece features a very unattractive photo of Joan Hartmann taken during a Planning Commission meeting. Interesting that this is contrasted with her opponent, who is shown strolling on the beach, shoeless and tanned. Now they are running the ad on TV.

Most of the commentary is incorrect, but that is not what bothers so many women seeing this ad. The same tactic is being used by the campaign against Dawn Ortiz-Legg, candidate for State Assembly District 35.

Whoever is running these campaigns needs to come into the 21st century, a time when most women and men refuse to be swayed by the blatant sexism of “ugly” pictures in political ads. Porter and Cunningham might giggle as they seek out the most unattractive photos they can find of their opponents, but women of all ages can see right through this strategy.

Voters today want to deal with issues and the facts. What difference does it make what the candidate looks like? Surely most voters are far beyond the mindset of Donald Trump.

When you vote in this election, please consider the ethics of any man who would condone this type of advertising. Both Hartmann and Ortiz-Legg are intelligent, engaged women who will work hard for all of people, even those whom Trump, Porter, or Cunningham might rank low on the beauty scale.

Using unattractive photos of women candidates should be passé by now. Those employing this tactic should think of the negative messages they are sending to their daughters or grand-daughters.