Letter: Candidate seeks ‘honest, open government’ for all

To the Editor-

As a candidate for Portage County Executive, I extend my humble gratitude to all the voters who turned out in the February primary to vote for me, as well as every voter who participated in such an important election.

As the spring election approaches, I want to express my greatest respect for the democratic process and my appreciation of the organizations that are hosting forums and debates for the candidates in this race and many others so voters can receive the information they need to cast their ballots. People of all political persuasions and beliefs in Portage County are actively engaged, with many contested races up and down the ballot. This is positive for our democracy: healthy competition yields more accountable government.

I’m running for Portage County Executive on the platform of working together for the public good because I deeply believe in the value of community members’ voices shaping our government. My number one priority is to foster an inclusive, participatory, and sustainable community by encouraging civic participation in county government. That’s why I’m traveling to every town, village, and city in the county to hear from people so we can share the role of making decisions in our government.

Everyone’s voice matters—regardless of party affiliation, political beliefs, how often you vote, or where you live. Good government means being honest, transparent, and listening to all feedback and points of view while keeping the doors open to everyone.

That’s why I was surprised to see John Pavelski’s recent letter to voters portraying his candidacy as nonpartisan. Not only did Mr. Pavelski accept a significant in-kind donation from the Portage County Republican Party via a postcard with his headshot that they mailed to voters endorsing his candidacy as the conservative choice, but he also received support from the vice-chair of the local Republican Party when collecting nomination signatures, in addition to the support of two active members of the Freedom Fighters.

To be clear, there is nothing wrong with accepting help—that’s the point of a campaign, to connect with voters and receive their support. What is wrong is Mr. Pavelski’s false statement that he is nonpartisan when he has accepted in-kind donations and volunteer support from people affiliated with parties and conservative groups.

I am proud to have received endorsements and support from people and organizations that are Democratic and progressive. I’m equally proud to have the support of independent voters. In the spring nonpartisan elections, “nonpartisan” means there are no parties listed on the ballot.

There is no requirement that candidates hide their political leanings, and I don’t believe in hiding my beliefs from the voters, who deserve total truth and transparency. As a candidate, I want voters to know that I am a progressive: I am not satisfied with the status quo and I will work in earnest with people and communities to make progress in protecting and advancing the public good in Portage County, from clean water to open government.

At the end of the day, my opponent and I agree that whoever wins the election on April 5 must then govern from the perspective of all residents in the county. I intend to do just that; there is no Republican groundwater or Democratic groundwater—we all want to live in a safe, healthy, and vibrant community.

I am running because I have the experience, insights, and drive to do the work required to carry out the duties of the county executive and to ensure all voters have a voice in their community. I hope to earn your vote on or before April 5 so we can work together to move our county forward with inclusive, participatory government.

Eric Olson
Candidate for Portage County Executive

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