Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment for Republicans (thou shall not speak ill of another Republican) has been an unspoken rule for decades. Unfortunately, negative campaigning and mudslinging has found its way to Hernando County politics. For at least 5 months, my opponent Marvin Baynham and his supporters have attacked me relentlessly and viciously on social media. Heeding the commandment, I did not respond. Then my opponent, fostered by a conspiracy theorist with a website, made a TV commercial filled with outright lies about me, calling me corrupt and anti-Trump. Both are completely provable fabrications, yet they were “Paid for and Approved” by my opponent, the very same opponent now complaining about negative campaigning. You may have seen several of my mailers in your mailbox recently. Not one of them contained any negative attacks. All of my campaign material, including my TV ad has been nothing but positive and they will continue to be.
Now, after months of calling elected officials in Hernando corrupt, organizations NOT associated with my campaign have produced verifiably factual mail and a commercial about Marvin Baynham’s history. This includes switching to Republican days before the statutory cutoff to run as a Republican, never, ever voting for a Republican prior to running for office, admitting to voting for and supporting Bernie Sanders, and signing a petition to expand abortion rights in Florida that would allow for late term abortions.
These are important facts for voters to weigh in a Republican Primary. Telling the truth is not negative campaigning, but it can be uncomfortable for those who don’t want the truth told.
The truth is my record of cutting taxes and reducing the milage rate is undeniable. The truth is my record of making government smaller and more accountable is undeniable. The truth is, as Vice Chairman, Chairman and State Committeeman for the Hernando County Republican Party, I’ve worked hard to help elect great people such as President Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Rick Scott.
As a devout Christian, I will continue to pray for my opponent.
As a father and grandfather, I will continue to work hard so our children will have a better life than we have.
As a conservative, I will never stop fighting for the taxpayers of Hernando.
That’s the truth.
-John Allocco
Paid by John Allocco, Republican, for Hernando County Commissioner District 3.
