I’ve spent enough time in politics to know two things. First, making decisions in public is hard. Second, no matter what you do, someone is going to be convinced you got it wrong, or worse, that you’re somehow out to get them. That’s just the job. Which is why I pay less attention to who agrees with me and more attention to how someone shows up when things get uncomfortable. That’s where you actually learn something about a person. It’s also why I support Malena Stevens for Summit County clerk. Malena and I served on our respective councils at the same time and met monthly for years. Over that time, we became trusted resources for each other. We agreed plenty, disagreed plenty, and challenged each other when we thought the other person was wrong. Those conversations were based on informed debate, not politics or popularity, and I learned a lot about how Malena approaches difficult issues. I’ve also watched her work through some of the more controversial issues this community has faced. What stands out is not that everyone agreed with her, they didn’t, but that she consistently took the time to explain how she got to her decisions. She walks people through the trade-offs, the constraints and the reasoning, even when it doesn’t make the outcome any easier to accept. That matters particularly in the Clerk’s Office. The clerk’s job is not a popularity contest. At its core, it is about administering an election system that every voter, regardless of who they support, can trust. We’ve somehow landed in a place where if someone’s preferred candidate doesn’t win, the conclusion is that the system must be broken. Elections are not fraudulent just because you don’t like the result. Confidence comes from consistency, security, transparency and a willingness to explain how the system actually works. When you’re selecting someone for a job like this, you want to know what you’re getting. And in this race, the comparison is abundantly clear. Malena is a known entity. She is clear, concise and trusted. She knows the job, and importantly, she now has time doing the job as Summit County’s interim clerk. She understands the responsibility that comes with it and isn’t afraid of scrutiny. The clerk’s job isn’t to be liked. It’s to get it right, every time, and to stand behind the process when people question it. For me, the responsible choice in this election is clear: Malena Stevens for Summit County clerk. Max Doilney Park City The post Does it right appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less