Letter - Newspaper should indicate paid political ad

To the editor:

The “Hats In the Ring” section printed in the Echo Press recently was very misleading and deceiving to readers. Although it was a paid political ad, it appeared more to readers that it was a list of all candidates running for office. If a candidate chose not to pay the $200 charge to be listed in that section, they were not listed and there was no indication that this was not a complete list.

My husband, Todd Jensen, is a candidate for Alexandria City Council in Ward 5. Todd chose not to spend money on this feature because there was no content other than a name and picture.

This financial responsibility is exactly the reason we need Todd on the city council. It’s time to stop wasteful spending.

Shame on you, Echo Press, for not indicating clearly that the list you printed was only a paid political ad and did not include all candidates.

Peggy Jensen

Alexandria, MN

(A paid political letter)

Editor’s note: Below each of the 27 candidates listed, the advertisement noted that the information was a “paid political advertisement.” Each candidate was given the opportunity to accept or decline this advertising opportunity.

Tags: opinion, letters