To the Editor,

When it comes to both elections and ethics government panels no party should be overrepresented. Over partisan representation can call the objectivity of  those type boards into question.

  I am a Republican elected nine times with that designation to the Hopkinton Town Council.

I am presently vice president of that body. As a Republican especially I am disappointed only one Republican currently out of seven members sits on the state board of elections.

With such antics by the dominant state Democratic Party dealing with elections is it no wonder people often have legitimate concerns with the elections process? On local boards of canvassers that handle election matters in our local cities and towns no political party is allowed more than a simple majority of members.

 The role of a state committee of a political party is to endorse candidates for state and federal office.  The Republicans in Rhode Island did that in the current special election contest for the first congressional district. The Democrats did not do the same and avoided that role.

Undoubtedly the political motivation was not to antagonize various candidates and their supporters  so they refrained to endorse officially a candidate. Not real leadership from

the Democratic hierarchy! Although I live in the Second Congressional District,

I would be voting for Gerry Leonard,  the endorsed Republican candidate, if I was voting

in the upcoming special congressional primary on the GOP side. 

In closing, remember voters can still vote for the candidate of their choice whether endorsed or not.

Scott Bill Hirst

Ashaway