Editor,

With regard to the Aug. 2, 2014 issue of the South Whidbey Record:

While the photo of Dave Olinger, the man running as a write-in for Island County sheriff, is definitely front-page worthy, I was quite upset to see that the staff writer, Jessie Stensland, took what is to be a quirky story of an island man and sneakily inserted obvious personal biases that have no place in the article.

Referring to Olinger as a “Democrat to a nearly stereotypical extent; a ponytail, perhaps, would send him over the edge.”

Did misplaced judging or stereotyping come back into style again and I missed it? Instead of mocking a man for going against the grain and fighting for something he believes in, let’s praise him and support him rather than basically smiling to his face and laughing when his back is turned.

I realize that this island is a more Republican area than it is Democrat, but that doesn’t mean those on the left must be mocked for having different viewpoints.

Paige Darrah

Oak Harbor

— Editor’s note: Mr. Olinger and his wife went into the interview with The Record reporter fully acknowledging the tongue-in-cheek nature of his candidacy and are having fun with it.