Lowdown: Republican Sheriff
Here is what will determine this race on May 2.
Who will voters think can best manage the department?
Campaign summary
Fries started campaigning 3 years ago while the rest of the field began 6-9 months ago. All the candidates in this race have done a good job campaigning. Its been fun to watch. The time factor end up being the biggest difference between the campaigns.
Reader poll results:
Foster 10%
Fries 78%
Griffith 7%
Keesler 5%
165 votes cast
Final Thoughts
My early prediction was that Fries would win. I'm sticking to it. The rest of the candidates would make fine sheriffs. Unfortunately for them they went up against a good candidate with a campaign machine. It will be a race to see who comes in second.
Who will voters think can best manage the department?
Campaign summary
Fries started campaigning 3 years ago while the rest of the field began 6-9 months ago. All the candidates in this race have done a good job campaigning. Its been fun to watch. The time factor end up being the biggest difference between the campaigns.
Reader poll results:
Foster 10%
Fries 78%
Griffith 7%
Keesler 5%
165 votes cast
Final Thoughts
My early prediction was that Fries would win. I'm sticking to it. The rest of the candidates would make fine sheriffs. Unfortunately for them they went up against a good candidate with a campaign machine. It will be a race to see who comes in second.
posted by Indiana Pundit at 8:44 AM
10 Comments:
I find it interesting that you say Fries has a campaign machine. It started with a large family who believes in him and knows him well. Add to this friends,co-workers, acquaintances who know that Ken is truly a leader with experience and integrity. Then, add Ken himself, an extremely honest,straitforward,intelligent, giving individual. I guess this is what makes a "campaign machine".
Having a base of supporters who believe in a candidate and are willing to work towards the goal of getting that candidate elected is the most important part of a campaign aside from a quality candidate.
A campaign can have both a good gameplan and a quality candidate and still fail because it doesn't have the people to execute the plan.
There is no doubt that Ken has support, although I don't think that Fries' margin of victory will be nearly what was shown in reader polls. The Journal-Gazette backed Griffith, and although he doesn't have as much money as Ken, he seems to be spending it wisely. I've heard talk of Griffith mail pieces dropping - and while I'm not sure if Ken has done any - Ken's expenditures on yard signs, TV spots, and radio ads are not nearly as effective as targeted mail. Foster and Keesler, while both quality candidates, will fally quickly. I think the split between Fries and Griffith will be much smaller than some expect.
The News-Sentinel backed Fries. The Journal-Gazette backed Griffith.
JG endorsements have been known to be the kiss of death for Republican candidates in the past.
That one anonymous must not have looked at FortWayneObserved.com.
The Ken Fries mailer is posted as well as the radio spot that tells everyone about the News-Sentinel endorsement.
Fries started early, has by far the most support with Republican regulars, was able to raise money that allowed him to use television and radio along with direct mail and signs.
The other campaigns have been inadequate and off-kilter. Just from the evidence that Fries has been able to run a disciplined and organized campaign I think you have to agree he looks like a better manager than the other guys.
The other thing, anonymous, is that you are only arguing about the margin of victory - not the question of victory. Even you concede that Fries is the winner.
Considering all of the other polls that have been taken, I think there should be a poll taken of the County Police Officers to see who they would prefer to work for. Judging by the impressive turn outs at all of Ken Fries' fundraisers, parades, and the encouraging support by several City and County Police Officers, Regular and Reserve I believe Fries would be their clear choice.
Education seems to be a hot issue in the Sheriff's race. There are those for example who read a book on how to raise children and yet have never raised a child and then there are those who actually have raised children. This can be also be said for Law Enforcement. Ken Fries is the only candidate that has been awarded the Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars and has over a dozen Letters of Commendation. These recognitions are recommended by an officer's peers and then if merit is given they are awarded by the Sheriff's department. It is also telling of the type of police officer he is and his dedication to his career. He has earned these awards by actually performing his duties and actively participating in his responsibilities as a police officer. He has earned these recognitions not only as a Police Officer but also as an Administrator and SWAT Commander. He has several college hours toward a degree however his real education has not been bought it has been earned through valuable experience. The other candidates both Republican and Democrat are not able to proclaim such accomplishments.
The budget for the department is $20 million.
Would ANY corporation hire someone to manage a budget that size without a college degree? NO.
So why should the taxpayers?
I do not doubt that he is a fine officer, but for all his accomplishments, he did not finish college- and that shows lack of long term (career) planning.
There is a BIG difference between being a good cop, and being an administrator- he is simply not qualified.
If Tina Taviano thinks she can slog her way through the fall campaign only touting her college degree then she is in big trouble. By this way of thinking, tens of thousands of Allen County residents should be able to serve as Sheriff.
"The college degree makes me a fine administrator bit" makes her a one trick pony and an irrelevant one at that. C'mon, her real life experience includes serving in the vaunted position of security guard at Sycamore Hills.
Fries has been in more command positions and is trusted by the officers he seeks to lead.
Kenneth Lay has a college degree, yet I would not vote for him to be anything more than a courier in my government. Yet, Bill Gates has no degree....
Hmmm, more fallacious arguments I guess.
Fries has been in more command positions and is trusted by the officers he seeks to lead.
Bingo.
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