Questions & Answers on the Campaign Trail
Early voting begins in less than two weeks, and there has been a noticeable shift in voter engagement with the election. We are moving beyond the preliminary phase of simply knowing who is running and entering a stage where voters are asking deeper questions. It’s refreshing to move past the stage of candidate stump speeches with their canned remarks and really start to get into more substantive discussions. It has also been fun fielding questions because it helps me learn more about what is important to people and the motivations behind their questions.
In most cases, people are just looking for information. They want details about my background, family, or why I am running for mayor. They want to understand my priorities, or they want to know if I will address the issues that are most important to them. They are trying to get a feel for whether I share their worldview and if our priorities are aligned.
Others pose questions to assess my competence in addressing specific special interests or to gauge my responsiveness to their concerns. They want to determine whether I will be candid about my stance on issues or merely say what is expedient so that I can get elected.
A few people ask questions because they have an agenda. They aim to draw contrasts between me and their preferred candidate, get me on the record about a controversial topic, or capture a soundbite they can use against me if I oppose a cause they are passionate about. They sometimes want a promise from me to fund or defund a specific initiative, or to continue or discontinue a particular policy.
No matter the motive, I’m happy to answer any type of question, and I sincerely do my best to be truthful and transparent. Here are some of the techniques I use when answering questions.
Listen actively - I always strive to fully understand a question before responding. This often involves probing deeper to grasp the real underlying concern because what I'm initially asked may only scratch the surface. When possible, I try to address the actual question.
Provide direct answers - I don’t like it when politicians evade questions. Whenever possible, I respond directly. However, I don't always accept the premise of a question. For example, some people use questions to try to make things personal and disparage leaders who are working hard to improve our community. Even if I disagree with the way the work is being done, I use my response to move in a more constructive direction. I try to pivot questions when I disagree with their underlying assumptions.
Provide concrete examples or facts - Vague answers are typically unhelpful. I’ve worked hard to become as knowledgeable as I can about a wide range of topics so I can answer voters’ questions with as much detail as possible. However, I’m always willing to admit when I don’t know the answer to a question or need more information before commenting further.
Gain closure - Sometimes I summarize the conversation to ensure the person knows I understand their concern and to reinforce the message I conveyed in my response. My ultimate goal is to make sure we understand each other.
There is obviously a lot you can learn about a leader when you see and listen to them during a question and answer session. I invite you to gain further insight into my approach by watching how I conduct myself on the campaign trail.
On Monday night I did a 10-minute Q&A with the Wayne County Republican Executive Committee. Hear my responses to questions about Steve Williams's impact on Huntington and my thoughts on the proposal for rainbow crosswalks.
I had a blast as a guest on The Biz with NormBeezy and Lady T. We covered a lot of topics, including gentrification and ways to prevent displacement in areas where people have deep family roots. As Marshall and the hospital expand, it's important to listen to local residents and find ways to make sure they benefit from the growth.
Patrick after participating as a guest on the podcast The Biz with NormBeezy and Lady T. Mr. Dave Harris asked insightful questions as the emcee of a Meet the Candidates night sponsored by the Fairfield Community Development Corporation and the NAACP at the AD Lewis Center. It was by far the most well-attended neighborhood event of the campaign season so far!
Patrick answering a question at the AD Lewis during a meet the candidates event sponsored by the Fairfield Community Development Corporation and the local chapter of the NAACP. Unfortunately, due to an out-of-town scheduling conflict, I couldn’t attend the candidate forum at the Woodlands Retirement Community. I sent a prepared statement, but since I wasn’t there in person, I missed the opportunity to answer questions.
During my first campaign reception (less a fundraiser and more a friendraiser), I got a lot of great questions from supporters about how they could best help my campaign. The short answer is that I need people to go vote! Please make sure you are registered before the April 23 deadline, and encourage all of your friends and family who live in the city limits to vote in the primary. Early voting starts May 1, and Election Day is May 14.
Patrick with former Huntington Mayor Joe Williams at a Farrell for Mayor reception in The Frederick Lobby.
If you or someone you know has any questions for me, please fire away! You can reach me by email (patrick@patrickfarrellwv.com) or through any of my social media accounts that can be found at the bottom of my website (patrickfarrellwv.com).
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