Forget UFC, watch election action

I enjoy watching a good fight.

Muhammad Ali and Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell are incredible fighters.

Many people believe the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the best arena for brutal competition. Man versus man. Winner takes all. Skilled men stepping into the ring and pitting themselves against each other with the world watching.

They provide bone breaking, eye swelling, bruise inducing action, but they are amateurs when compared to candidates for public office.

The attacks, the defense, the footwork used to move into a superior position — it’s all there.

This year we have one election standing out as tougher than any UFC title bout.

Three men are fighting to be the next Grant County prosecutor.

The three contestants are Prosecutor Angus Lee, Deputy Prosecutor Albert Lin and attorney Robert Schiffner.

I smiled throughout the first debate between the candidates before the Grant County Republican Women.

It was wonderful to see the candidates speak for themselves. I’ve grown tired of the constant attacks and attempts at defamation thrown out anonymously by Internet bloggers. It’s like listening to a terrible ringside announcer, who isn’t watching the fight, or some D-list celebrity trying to make sense of something beyond their comprehension. Do they realize the damage they do to their own candidates with these attacks?

Don’t base your vote for the next Grant County prosecutor based on anonymous bloggers. Take time to read the candidates’ literature. Speak with them. Pose questions to them in public and listen to their answers.

All three are showing how tough they can be. They are fighting to represent us in court.

I look forward to seeing who goes home with the championship belt in November.

Bill Stevenson is the Columbia Basin Herald managing editor. He reported on elections for more than 15 years, and still enjoys watching democracy take place.