James Satcher's big blunder
Election supervisor's attack ad against challenger Scott Farrington gives voters a chance to learn how badly he bombed in debate and how unfit he is to be elections supervisor.
Manatee Supervisor of Elections James Satcher built a campaign attack ad around a taken-out-of-context snippet of video of challenger Scott Farrington saying, “Elections would be great if we could take the voters out of it.” Yes, he said it during a recent debate — clearly, as a joke, as evidenced by the audience’s laughter — and Satcher’s campaign has made sure other local Republicans hear him say it, too, by hitting email and text message inboxes with the ad, sometimes more than once.
But not part of the ad was that the debate moderator’s question to Farrington was about election security, not about what he thought about Manatee County voters, or Farrington’s full response.
“What were the problems in this county in 2016, 2020 and 2022 in the election process, if any, that you found that need to be addressed?” Bruce Stamm asked.
Farrington’s response: “No system that requires human input is perfect. And I’ve always said elections would be great if we could take the voters out of it, right? I mean, they would be perfect. Any system that you have voters, candidates and you have humans involved in is not going to be 100%.”
Farrington welcomes party switchers to vote in GOP primary. Satcher calls it a 'left-wing' plot
The ad has backfired on Satcher. Not only did the high-and-mighty minister clearly try to gaslight viewers about Farrington said and meant, Satcher also gave them a second chance to learn how badly he bombed in the debate before members of the Lakewood Ranch Republican Club. (Watch the full debate below, starting at the 1:07:00 mark.)
Farrington on Tuesday responded to the ad, writing on Facebook, in part::
I hesitate to even acknowledge the negative “ads” sent via text and email to voters in Manatee County yesterday and now, apparently, again today. Many of you have reached out with your own thoughts on these types of campaigns and misleading tactics.
I have served voters in Manatee County for over a decade. And I have done that with integrity and transparency – always with the voter in mind. I said from the beginning that I would run my campaign based on my experience and ability to do the job. This kind of negative campaigning does not change that.
I encourage you to watch the entire debate. You can determine for yourself who has the competence, the integrity and the knowledge to protect your elections and your vote. Please share this with your friends, family and neighbors so they can also make an informed decision.
Up to this point, Satcher again reminding voters of how unqualified he is for the job is one of the bigger blunders of the 2024 campaign in Manatee County.
Satcher repeatedly sending a deliberately misleading ad to voters’ inboxes won’t change any of that.
‘Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski-Von Oswald’, aka ‘The Real KVO’, hits back at Satcher
Meanwhile, fictional / satirical candidate Kevin-Kyle Kaczynski-Von Oswald aka “the blue puppet,” made Satcher the target of his latest “campaign” video, complete with clips highlighting Satcher’s performance of the debate.
If you’re wondering whether any of the Satcher snippets are taken out of context, just refer to the full video of the debate above.
Marc R. Masferrer, previously a newspaper and digital editor in Bradenton for more than 16 years and a journalist for more than 33 years, has received multiple awards for his writing, including a first place for commentary writing in the Florida Press Club’s 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition and a second place prize in the 2023 contest for work published in The Bradenton Journal. You can reach him at Marc.R.Masferrer@gmail.com. You can also like The Bradenton Journal on Facebook.
Typical Pedicini negative message. Taken out of context. I am more afraid of how Satcher will try to manipulate votes whether early voting or mail in votes, than what Farrington said. Satcher has stated he doesn't like either. and wants only voting on election day. Even Trump now supports mail-in. I ordered a mail in, but still might do early voting. Vote Farrington,
THIS IS A NO BRAINER..SCOTT FARRINGTON ALL DAY LONG...CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE WHO PROFESSES RELIGION LIKE SATCHER CAN EASILY LIE AND MANIPULATE ...WHAT A LOSER...