Oak Harbor City Councilor Bryan Stucky posted this to his Facebook page on Sat., June 14, 2025.
I rarely comment on national politics on social media—it never goes well. Those on the extreme ends of either party often take issue, and what starts as debate quickly turns into heated arguments and personal attacks. I’m going to make a rare exception today, and I hope this post does not spiral into the very negativity I try to avoid.
I’ve been reading about the two state lawmakers who were gunned down in Minnesota. I’m just a small-town councilman, but the closer these events get to “my level,” the more real they become. It would be like if Representative Dave Paul or Senator [Ron] Muzzall—both of whom I know personally and see around town—were killed. These aren’t distant national figures I might see on TV once a year. It’s easier, if we’re honest, to dehumanize people we only see on a screen. It’s a lot harder when it’s someone you might run into at the grocery store. That makes it deeply personal.
Whenever violence occurs, people on the far right blame the far left, and people on the far left blame the far right. But I don’t see this as a party problem—I see it as a humanity problem. We used to be able to disagree politically and still be friends, or at least not hate each other. Now, political identity has become so central that it’s tearing us apart.
I don’t have an answer to such a massive issue. I can only control my own small corner of the world. And in that space, I choose kindness. I listen to people I disagree with. I try to understand them, and sometimes I even change my views. If I still disagree, I keep the conversation focused on the issue—never on personal attacks. Throwing around words like “Libtard” or “Nazi” changes no one’s mind. It just breeds more hate.
I will not use social media to personally attack a local politician or community member. I won’t respond in anger or use hurtful language just to score points or prove I’m right. What I will do is speak out against policies I disagree with, help educate others, and debate fiercely to help shape policies that benefit our community. Often, what’s “best” is subjective—that’s why it’s so important to talk to people, across every medium, and truly understand where they’re coming from.
If someone attacks me personally, I won’t respond in kind. If I feel like I can’t respond calmly, I won’t respond at all. I don’t need to get in the last word—though I’ll admit, sometimes that’s really, really hard.
It’s a gross oversimplification to say that “kindness and love will fix everything.” We all slip up. We all come from different backgrounds and viewpoints. We can’t control others—we can only control ourselves. But we can try to move the needle, even slightly, in a more positive direction. Not for a party, but for humanity.
I don’t foresee a day anytime soon when everyone gets along and everything is perfect. But I do hope for a day when words—not violence—are what lead to solutions. Where kind words, not name-calling or attacks, become the norm. Where instead of a quick online comment just to put someone down, people use these platforms to work on ideas and solutions from a good heart. Debate is what democracy is about! It can be done in a way just to “Prove you are right”, or in a way that can lead to understanding. I hope more people choose the latter.
I thank Representative Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman for taking on the difficult job of serving their communities. Regardless of how one may have felt about their political positions, they did not deserve what happened to them. Nor did their spouses when they were all shot in their own homes. If any good can come from this tragedy, I hope it’s that even one person might pause and consider how their words and actions affect others. And that they choose kindness and love for their fellow humans over anger and violence.
On the Ballot in November 2025
| CITY OF OAK HARBOR |
|---|
| Councilmember, Position 4 Barbara Armes |
| Councilmember, Position 5 James P. Marrow, the incumbent Brit Kraner Marrow was appointed to replace Shane Hoffmire until the results of the election are certified in November. |
| Councilmember, Position 6 Andy Plumlee Sandi Peterson Incumbent Jim Woessner did not file for another term. |
| Councilmember, Position 7 Bryan Stucky |
