Pledge Against Negative Campaign Advertising

Here is the exact text of the pledge against negative campaign advertising that was signed by all of the candidates for Sarasota City Commission.

As a candidate for public office, I pledge to refrain from negative political advertising in connection with my campaign.

Advertisements will be considered "negative" if they violate the core values of compassion, honesty, responsibility, fairness and respect. Advertisements will be considered:

--compassionless if they foster hatred or rancor

--dishonest if they base their messages on lies or subtle deceptions and half truths

--irresponsible if they degrade the tenor of public discourse and heighten cynicsm about the electoral process

--unfair if they use emotive spins to attack an opposing candidate's personal characteristics

--disrespectful if they refuse to treat the opposing candidate as a worthy citizen and individual

The term 'advertisement' shall include any communication intended to reach potential voters through the public media including, but not limited to: print medias, such as a newspaper or other periodical; outdoor advertising, such as billboards and other signs; television, telephone, facsimile or computer; and, written communication such as flyers delivered by hand or through the mail.