Editorial: Revolting campaign tactic

Sunday, May 14, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.

For his close to three decades with Metro Police, including a nearly completed term as Clark County sheriff, Bill Young has served with distinction. But we understood when he withdrew last week as a candidate for re-election. He said the job was consuming too much of his life and the time had come to plan for a new path.

Young's campaign for sheriff in 2002 clearly demonstrated his character. His open and direct style in candidate forums, media interviews and appearances before civic groups won over the community.

For the exact opposite style of campaigning, one has to look no further than a Metro Police lieutenant who has filed to run for Young's job. Already Lt. Ron Williams is displaying the underhandedness characteristic of the worst sort of politician. "Williams has been spreading false rumors about me for months and months," Young told Sun reporter Jeff German, for a story published Friday.

After Young announced he was no longer a candidate, Williams switched tactics and began an underhanded, cowardly campaign against the new front-runner, Undersheriff Doug Gillespie. Williams' campaign manager, Michael Zahara, confirmed that the Williams campaign had sent Gillespie a warning via e-mail. The message was that Williams had a "security/intel team" working for him that had compiled information about "gross misconduct" by Gillespie.

"We understand you're running for sheriff," the e-mail said. "Please be advised that we have been cooperating with the FBI for months." The e-mail warned that the campaign was prepared to go public with the information. Gillespie, who has an impeccable reputation, said the information was totally false.

The Sun contacted the FBI, which stated emphatically that it was not working with the Williams campaign and that no investigation relating to Young or Gillespie was under way. In fact, an FBI spokesman said, the agency enjoys an "excellent relationship" with the two top Metro officials. The FBI spokesman added that the agency "will not look kindly on allegations filed against anyone without merit, particularly for political reasons."

In our view, Williams' cheap, dirty and vile campaign tactics represent the worst in politics and personal character. The public should also be turned off by this tawdry behavior, as it dissuades good people from becoming candidates.