Jani Davis right choice for Taos County Sheriff

Taos County is becoming increasingly polarized politically, which concerns me. As a therapist, whenever I see “black vs. white,” “right vs. wrong,” and “us vs. them” thinking, I intervene because this is exactly the type of “stinking” thinking that underlies dysfunctional families, communities, and countries. From my experience, when it comes to humans especially, rarely is anything that simple.

The current race for Taos County Sheriff is no exception. Jani Davis has extensive experience as a Taos police officer, and has put herself on the line to lead the Taos County Sheriff’s Department towards improving the way it handles community response and protection.

Davis is a no-nonsense, nose-to-the-grindstone individual who believes that justice and integrity should come before loyalty or money. Davis also believes in our right to bear arms and that individuals and communities should take back their power to protect themselves.

Many people in Taos County would likely agree with these statements. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Taos County has one of the highest percentages of free-thinking, independent, hands-off-of-my-life, individuals in the entire state, and possibly in this country.

So what’s the problem? Davis is a Republican. And because of this, she has been targeted as “the enemy.”

In addition, because Davis attended a seminar on community building that was allegedly funded by the American’s for Prosperity group (this information was not disclosed on the brochure nor on the website of the seminar providers), Davis has been labeled as a “right wing tool” for this group. Davis is hardly anybody’s tool.

She is one of the most independent, nonpolitical individuals I know. In fact, Davis is adamant that politics should not interfere with justice, and she has openly provided proof that none of the monies she has received for this campaign have come from any political group.

But people stop listening as soon as they hear that Davis is Republican. Meanwhile, her Democratic opponent regularly posts sexist cartoons about how men are superior to women – and everybody simply looks the other way. Why? Because when people get polarized, loyalty becomes more important than integrity. But it is these small, seemingly insignificant choices that begin to erode the foundation of our families and communities and country.

Come on Taos County, we are smarter than this. United we stand strong. Divided we are easily conquered. Look beyond the rhetoric, and you will see an amazingly strong and resilient individual who will work nonstop to turn Taos County Sheriff’s department into a respectful organization that upholds integrity and justice above all else. And from my experiences with the Taos County Sheriff’s Department, this change is much needed and long overdue.

I hope you will take the time to go to Davis’ website and Facebook pages to see for yourself who she really is and what she stands for. Don’t believe everything you read or hear.

Take the time to get the facts. And if you are still uncertain, contact Davis directly. She will absolutely make time to discuss your ideas or concerns even if she doesn’t agree. Let’s give Davis a chance to prove who she is and what she is capable of.