campaign slander

[okdemo]

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

My husband was recently narrowly defeated in an election for County Commissioner. The opposition's campaign was based on nothing but lies and slander. Living in a small rural area, this is what caused him to lose by 72 votes. He lost a significant pay increase, and some of the people that he has known all his life won't even acknowledge him anymore. His reputation as an honest, friendly and upstanding citizen has been tarnished by the lies and accusations. It isn't so much the fact that he lost the election and the position that bothers us, but the fact that these lies have ruined his reputation. Can we sue those that were telling the lies?

 

[stephenk]

Much depends on what was said about your husband. Political rhetoric during a campaign can be mean but our country allows harsh opinions, especially toward a public figure (your husband).

Now if the opposing campaign claimed your hubby was a convicted felon and that wasn't true, he may have a shot at a libel/slander suit. If the claim was that he isn't good for the county or is a lousy politician, those are the lumps he has to take while running for office.

Was he an incumbent? What was specifically said and how about your husband that you consider lies and slander?

 

[okdemo]

No, he wasn't an incumbent. This is the first time he has ran for anything. The opposition was telling people that they campaigned that my husband was going to fire all the current employees and cancel all the contracts the county had with the local businesses if he got elected. They also told people that he had been arrested for drunk driving. He has never been arrested for anything. These are all lies. Of course people aren't going to vote for him after all that.