As we approach the West Virginia primary elections on May 12 and the midterm election this November, it is hard to ignore the tone of this election season. What should be a time for thoughtful debate and serious discussion has too often become something far different. Social media, our mailboxes, television ads, and the airwaves have turned into a toxic swamp, and too many campaigns have followed that same path.
We have seen outside spending pour into these races. Personal attacks have escalated. In some cases, even candidates themselves seem more interested in drama than in rising above it. That should concern all of us, regardless of party.
In January, I wrote about the need to “disagree better” and strengthen our democracy. That idea still matters. A healthy republic depends not only on elections, but also on the character of those participating in them. It begins with how we treat neighbors whose political opinions differ from our own. Civility is not weakness. It is a sign of confidence in one’s beliefs and respect for the system we all share.
It is easy to blame politicians, and much of that criticism is fair. But the tone of our politics does not come from candidates alone. It comes from voters, social media, political organizations, and the way we choose to engage with one another.
‘… spending hours in comment sections attacking others does not strengthen an argument. It weakens it.’
If we reward outrage, we will continue to get outrage. If we reward division, we will continue to see division. Our country is at a turning point. In the last year, we have seen political violence escalate, including a recent attempt to assassinate the President of the United States. We have also seen more threats against elected officials of both parties. That should alarm every American.
That is why this election cycle presents an opportunity.
It is up to us to choose leaders who demonstrate not only strong policy positions but strong character. We need leaders who can disagree without demeaning others. Public service should not be about online attention or political entertainment. It should be about serving people.
Ask a “MAGA Republican” candidate whether they would be willing to have dinner with a “woke Democrat” colleague if both are elected. That is not a policy question. It is a question about morals and whether that person can treat another human being with dignity, even through disagreement.
Ask the “Woke Democrat” candidate whether they would send a holiday card or wish a “MAGA Republican” a happy birthday. It may sound silly, but it has real meaning. Does that person see opponents as enemies, or as fellow Americans elected to serve?
How leaders treat their opponents matters just as much as what they stand for. We should expect leaders who do not spend every day creating clickbait, insults, and attacks online. Their conduct shapes more than one race or one term. It shapes the tone of our democracy.
We should expect more. And we should demand more.
At the same time, we need to examine our own behavior. Too often, political engagement is reduced to social media habits that do more harm than good. Rapid-fire sharing of posts, whether accurate or not, does not make someone an informed advocate. It only adds to the noise. Taking time to verify information, read beyond a headline, and understand an issue is far more valuable.
Likewise, spending hours in comment sections attacking others does not strengthen an argument. It weakens it. If all we do is respond with anger, sarcasm, and insults, what does that say about us? What does it say about the community we are building?
Democracy requires more than Facebook clicks. It requires real participation, patience, humility, and responsibility.
Regardless of party affiliation, most West Virginians know our state faces serious challenges. We need good jobs, lower costs of living, strong schools, safer communities, and a future worth staying for. Those goals are not partisan. But the way we pursue them can either bring us closer together or drive us further apart.
We may not control every campaign ad, political message, or decision made by those in office. But we do control how we engage. We control whether we listen or dismiss, seek understanding or assume the worst.
And we control who we choose to send to Charleston and beyond.
So as you head to the polls this May, consider more than party labels or campaign promises. Pay attention to how candidates and supporters conduct themselves. Pay attention to how they treat opponents. Ask yourself: “Is this how they would treat my community?”
Because the health of our democracy is not determined only by who wins or loses a primary. It is determined by whether we still believe in treating one another as Americans, each with different beliefs, but each deserving respect.
Civility matters. Character matters. This election is an opportunity to prove we still value both.
(Michael Borsuk is a Wheeling Resident and an MBA Student at Marshall University.)
