To the Editor:
Recently, a political ad was released which took aim at my brother, Republican State’s Attorney candidate Tom Haine, by attacking his military career, as well as the 40 years of public service by my father, retired State Senator, William Haine.
The most deceitful part of the commercial is the clip of Tom thanking the taxpayers for being able to afford to go to Princeton. This clip was knowingly taken out of context and deceptively implies that Tom’s education was funded by our father. The truth is that Tom was able to attend Princeton because he was awarded the prestigious military ROTC scholarship, which is given to only the most impressive candidates.
Crystal Uhe carelessly attacks military service by claiming that it is “no experience” at all. This is unpatriotic at its core and belies a deep disrespect for the men and women who have given of their time and talent to serve this country in the armed forces. It is outrageous and elitist for Ms. Uhe to suggest that the experience obtained through military service is somehow of a lesser value. Tom’s record in the military as a JAG criminal prosecutor and his service in ROTC throughout his time at Princeton speaks for itself.
This ad shows the true face of Crystal Uhe, putting her dishonesty and lack of appreciation for public service on display. Voters should take note that these are tactics which try to distract from real problems that occurred on Ms. Uhe’s watch. For example, we now know that just last year Ms. Uhe completely failed to oppose the early release of a child murderer, who was then released 20 years early in April 2020. And it was just revealed that her excuse for this failure was completely fabricated.
Ms. Uhe's silence in the last 24 hours since these revelations is deafening. It is disappointing that the party which my dad served faithfully has so easily thrown him under the bus for obvious political gain while supporting such a flawed candidate like Ms. Uhe.
During most of my childhood, my father served as State’s Attorney, forfeiting a lucrative career in private practice because he believed in the call to “public service.” During that time, he faithfully served the local Democratic Party, but he never brought politics into the State's Attorney's office. He believed that this was a position which must apply fair and equal justice to all, regardless of party affiliation.
He is a man of integrity in all things, and not once did he use his elected power to further the interests of his children, whether it was dealing with a traffic violation or helping them to get a job. His time in that office, instead, taught his children to be independent thinkers who put people and integrity before political gain. I learned to listen before judging, that actions have consequences, that loyalty matters, to put people before platforms, and to search for truth instead of approval.
This is how a true statesman operates, and unfortunately it has become a rarity in today's politics on both the right and the left. This is why he has raised children who span the political spectrum, from deep red to deep blue and everything in between.
He then brought this same attitude to the State Senate and was one of the most well-respected politicians on both sides of the aisle. When I had the opportunity to watch the Senate in session, people from every shade of the political spectrum would stop me to laud him for being one of the most intelligent, honest, and effective senators in recent history.
His son, Thomas, has learned these lessons well, and will continue the legacy of his father if elected as State’s Attorney.
Crystal Uhe and the local Democratic party, on the other hand, need to be reminded of these lessons.
Ms. Uhe should be ashamed that she has stained her career aspirations by resorting to desperate last minute propaganda. If these dishonest attacks on her opponents' family are what define her campaign, what values can we expect to animate her service as an elected official? Certainly not the integrity and justice we deserve as residents of Madison County.
The mask has come off and sadly, this dishonest ad shows how low Ms. Uhe will go to gain political power.
Let’s get rid of the dirty politics and talk about the issues that Madison county needs to address to get equal justice and safe neighborhoods for ALL our families of every political stripe.
Vote for honesty, integrity, loyalty, hard work, real experience and justice- vote for Tom Haine for State's Attorney.
Alice Stirton, Alton