Editorial: Let's keep the 2023 election mud slinging to a minimum

It’s way too early for this.

It’s January. The gubernatorial inauguration for the 2022 election was just this week. There are still three state House seats to be settled next month in special elections for the 32nd, 34th and 35th districts.

People can’t begin circulating or filing nomination petitions for the 2023 elections for almost a month, which means there is still plenty of time to decide about making a run for one of the seats open for counties, municipalities or school districts this year.

And yet here we are, with mud already being flung around online.

First-term Allegheny Council Councilwoman Bethany Hallam is running for reelection. She is being challenged by Democrat Joanna Doven, a public relations professional who once served as spokeswoman to former Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Doven made her candidacy announcement Jan. 4. It took just days for screenshots of old social media posts to be excavated and thrown into the gladiator arena that is the internet. The pieces chosen specifically push back on Doven as a Democrat, like tying her to Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

Tweets were deleted. Replies were fired back. Support that was given was pulled back. There were attacks on Hallam.

Enough already.

The primary isn’t until May. There are still four months to get through between now and then. It’s too soon to start punching each other in the mouth.

Candidates have this period between announcement and that first go at the polls to make a case to their constituents about what makes them the best people for these positions. We have become accustomed to the unfortunate tendency to end these fights wallowing in filth, but there is no reason we need to start there.

This is a job interview, and no one in the real world is ever hired after handing in an application and immediately sucker-punching an employee. Why is it ever OK when the job is elected?

This is not just an admonition to candidates — all candidates, for all races. It is equally important — perhaps even more important — for supporters of one candidate and detractors of another.

Those running for office can be tarred for the actions of those acting on their behalf — even if that happens without their knowledge. If you want a particular person to win, be cognizant of how your behavior as a supporter reflects upon that campaign.

Perhaps we have all just gotten so used to the mud that we don’t know how to conduct a clean fight anymore. Well, let’s figure it out, because continuing this downward slide into the muck can’t be allowed to continue.