How we will handle news, editorials and ads in the upcoming elections

July 13, 2017

Dear iLoveKent Readers,

With the Kent primary just two weeks away, competition among the Kent mayoral and city council candidates is heating up. Primary debates have been held, candidates are doorbelling and attending events, and they are sharing their views and concerns with our community.

In many ways, the competition is a good thing. It shows that we have active, involved, engaged candidates who want Kent to be better. They want to share their expertise and passion to help Kent grow in safe, smart and sustainable ways.

At the same time, it is challenging for me as a publisher. Some of the candidates are friends that I want to support, yet as a business owner and publisher, I must remain politically neutral. As a private citizen, I have a vote – and I will vote – but I won’t share my candidate preferences publicly, though many have asked.

As a result, it is important that I spell out iLoveKent’s position on candidate news, editorials and advertising:

- Following the primary, iLoveKent will host candidate debates. The Kent mayoral candidate debate will be Sept. 21, and the Kent City Council candidate debate will be Sept. 28. Both will be held at the Kent Senior Center in the evening, so they are accessible to as many residents as possible. They will be live-streamed and recorded, so those who can’t attend can still hear the positions of candidates who will appear on the November ballot. Learn more about the debates here. I wish we had the capacity to do primary debates, but with a staff of one (me!), I just don’t have the ability to host two sets of debates. Fortunately, other organizations in the community have stepped up to so, which I am really pleased to see.

- iLoveKent will publish press releases submitted by the candidates, but we reserve the right to edit out promotional statements, and we will note who submitted the press releases, so it is clear who the original source is. Press releases must be newsworthy. Those that are not newsworthy (e.g., solely promotional) will not be published. No candidate will receive preferential treatment or placement on our site. All press releases should be submitted to me at [email protected]. I will do my best to turn these around in 24-48 hours.
- iLoveKent will publish editorials by any of the political candidates in the Kent-specific races. These will not be edited. Each candidate will have an opportunity to submit an editorial about his or her candidacy once during the primary election and once during the general election. The editorial will be clearly marked as an editorial. No candidate will receive preferential treatment or placement on our site. All editorials should be submitted to me at [email protected]. I will do my best to turn these around in 24-48 hours.

- Effective immediately, all press releases and editorials will include the following disclaimer:This is not a paid endorsement, nor should it be construed as an endorsement of this candidate, by iLoveKent. We will publish all relevant, non-promotional press releases from political candidates, but reserve the right to edit out promotional content. iLoveKent will remain politically neutral in the upcoming election, but it does offer candidates the opportunity to advertise during the election cycle. All advertisements will be marked as such. Click here for our political advertising policy.