Governor Campaigning Under Fire

by Cardan Watson

Allegations surrounding early campaigning have been levied against governor nominee Chris Dawson, which, if based in truth, would get him disqualified. 

Mohammed Alyafeai (Chambers), the primary person behind the allegations, explained how Dawson allegedly started campaigning weeks before Boys & Girls State started, “My friend was called by him and asked to join his little alliance on june 7th and he voice recorded the entire call with Chris and him.” Alyafeai continued, “[in] this 8 minute voice recording we have Cris saying things like ‘I intend to run for governor’ and stuff regarding his alliance of people.” Essentially, Alyafeai believes that by Dawson not only voicing his intent for governor, but asking for alliances, Dawson is liable for campaign fraud in terms of the Boys & Girls State program. 

Alyafeai concluded, “I believe this advantage makes it unfair, which is why I'm speaking out against it, people should all have the same disadvantages of not knowing anyone and meeting people on the spot, not having an alliance created with 11 ([Dawson] said 11 but I guarantee he got more) people who can make Boys State a little easier.”

When speaking to Dawson, he explained that before the blue form was given out by his American Legion Post, which includes all the rules that dictate what a citizen can and can not do, he made an Instagram account to help promote his platform, based on furthering education. According to Dawson, when he finally received the blue form and learned the rules, he immediately deleted the Instagram account, containing about twenty followers. 

This miscommunication has caused tensions within the upcoming elections, with constant threats of lawsuits and disqualification looming. Despite the tension, Dawson has persistently attested that his campaign is not about winning the seat of governor for a title, but to inform the youth audience of Boys and Girls State about the failures of the education system and how fixing discrepancies with disabled youth is the entire point of the program. With his interview, Dawson wanted to put the story straight. Even in consideration of the allegations, the tension does not appear to ruin Dawson’s confidence in the integrity of his campaign.