In an ideal democracy, campaigns are a marketplace of ideas. Candidates present their credentials, outline their vision for office and make their case to the community. The voters, in turn, evaluate who is best equipped to serve and cast their ballots accordingly. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing right now in Hamilton County’s probate court race falls far short of that democratic ideal.
Recently, in multiple neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County, yard signs for Elizabeth Tye, a Black woman challenging the White male incumbent, have been repeatedly targeted and defaced in blatantly racist ways. As a Black woman, seeing these cowardly acts strikes a deeply personal chord with me. It is a painful reminder of the unique barriers, hostility
and double standards that women who look like me face when we step up to lead and seek public office.
This behavior is disgraceful, cowardly and deeply disappointing. Acts like this go beyond standard political rivalry; they are direct attempts to intimidate candidates and signal to entire segments of our community that their voice and leadership are not welcome.
A judicial race should be about qualifications
As vice chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, I condemn these hateful acts in the strongest possible terms. This should concern all of us, no matter what side of the aisle you sit on. There is absolutely no room for racism, bias, or property destruction in Hamilton County.
This troubling local incident reflects a much broader, concerning trend in our national political climate. Too often, instead of evaluating candidates on their legal qualifications, professional experience, temperament and vision for the judicial seat, candidates like Liz Tye are judged by race and gender rather than their credentials. When prejudice drives the narrative, voters lose. Judging candidates through a lens of bigotry is counterintuitive to the very purpose of an election: choosing the most qualified and capable public servant.
Condemnation should be bipartisan
Hamilton County Probate Court is a critical institution. It handles sensitive, personal matters that touch every family in our community − from guardianships and adoptions to estates and mental health commitments. The judge who presides over this court must demonstrate fairness, integrity and respect for all people. Those same values must extend to the campaign itself.
Ms. Tye’s opponent, Judge Ralph (Ted) Winkler, must unequivocally condemn these racist acts of vandalism. He should make clear that defacing a Black woman’s face with black paint is not an acceptable campaign tactic. Hamilton County deserves campaigns grounded in mutual respect and substantive debate. We must demand better from ourselves and from each other. We will not be intimidated, nor will we allow hate to define our elections.
Let us demand better from ourselves and each other, rejecting bigotry and committing to an election where every candidate is evaluated fairly on their merit, credentials and vision for public service.
Jasmine Coaston is vice chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Defacing a Black candidate's signs sends an ugly message | Opinion
