Campaign Websites – HoCo Board of Education (Part 1)

I like to believe that campaign websites should tell us something about the candidate; how they think, how they communicate, and their vision for the office she or he is seeking.  Granted, down-ballot and low-dollar races may not have the resources to publish gold standard websites/communications platforms/engagement vehicles…but they should (at the very least) impart useful information to voters about where candidates stand on timely and important issues.

Here are my thoughts on the websites of the eight candidates running for the Howard County Board of Education.  There are in no particular order.   Well that is not entirely accurate, as I am supporting Taj, Mallo, and Miller. But that is of less relevance for this particular topic.

[Note: I am going to break this up into two posts, so here are four of the eight.  The others will follow soon…].

Sabina Taj http://sabinataj.org/

Well-organized and accessible with both video and text-driven content.  She breaks out her stances on eight pressing issues, such as school safety and finding a site for high school #14 in Elkridge.  She presents innovative ideas on challenges such as bullying.  In her “Why I’m Running” section, she outlines her support for helping educators with loan repayment assistance as well as enhancing professional development. Moreover, she discusses ways to promote community engagement as well as equity.  In short, she talks about the Big Issues in an engaging manner. 

Overall, she published a very professional, solutions-centric website that offers voters a great deal of useful information.  The clarity level is solid…making it easy to locate and digest her messaging.  Combined with her strong fundraising numbers ($5,350 raised in the last reporting period; $6,662 Cash-on-Hand), it is clear that Taj is running a very serious campaign.

Jen Mallo         http://votejenmallo.com/

Mallo’s site is well-structured, logical, and makes it easy for voters to locate information.  I like that she included both her perspectives on five key issues (such as fiscal responsibility and empowering teachers, to name two) as well as her responses to candidate surveys.  This provides voters with the ability to explore her detailed thoughts on education policies and practices. Her on-site blog provides a useful platform to discuss recent developments and engage with readers.  Her “What Are Educators Saying about Jen?” section, located under the Pictures & Video& More tab allows site visitors to check out several testimonials from area educators.  Hearing from such validators/champions is a nice (and electorally smart) touch.

Her site demonstrates a commitment to transparency and the exchange of ideas.  Her campaign also had a good fundraising period ($3,100 raised; $4,457 CoH).  In my book, Mallo and Taj have been running the strongest campaigns for BoE this cycle.    

Robert Miller  http://www.miller4boe.org/

Easy-to-navigate links to his thoughts on 14 core issues can be found right on his home page.  Once you click through, you will find text…blocks and blocks of text.  Not prolix but definitely dense and not as readable as it could be.  He isn’t hurting for thoughtful and well-reasoned ideas on salient topics such as standardized testing and teacher evaluation, but the presentation could be improved.  His “News” section is useful, especially for those who would like to peruse testimonies he has delivered.  

Visually, it is not the most impressive site I have ever seen.  It is functional.  He is running a decent campaign and the HCEA endorsement definitely helped. In the last fundraising period, he raised $350 and has $990 CoH.  Could his communications efforts be stronger? Yes.

Bob Glascock  https://bobglascock.org/

I have to be candid, I was a little disappointed going through his campaign website.  I think it is thin on vision and too heavy on “inward” looking information (his resume).  There is a paucity of education issues and solutions on the campaign site, which is a lost communications opportunity.  It looks like it was cobbled together over the space of 90 minutes.  The site shows that he had a place on the Apple Ballot for the primary election…great for him, but for all of his years in education, he only posted two testimonials.  Very odd editorial and design choices. 

Overall, his campaign is underutilizing the site as a platform/voter engagement vehicle.  He also didn’t raise a dime in the last reporting period (although he has $1,516 CoH).  His campaign is heavily (perhaps too) reliant on HCEA backing. I know he finished second in the primary…and some folks think he might have a shot at first place in the General…but I am starting to believe he might be in a tough fight for the 4^th spot.

Let’s go with the old tagline…stay tuned, as more will follow.