The first “hit piece” of the political season is out. Let’s hope it’s the last. Voters deserve better than negative campaigning with “alternative facts.”

Like most hit pieces, this one is inaccurate. It plays on people’s fears about sneaky government. It takes a misconception and blows it out of proportion.

The piece comes from the campaign of Chris Ihler. He is running against Nate Nehring and Robert Sutherland, all Republicans, and also Democrat Ray Miller for Snohomish County Council. The top two in the Aug. 1 primary will advance to the Nov. 7 general election for the $117,000-a-year job.

A campaign door hangar put out by Ihler is labeled “Scam alert.” The information raises questions about how Nehring was appointed to the County Council last winter. It claims it was because of his “daddy,” Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring. Ihler should have educated constituents about the party process rather than play off their fears. While it would be ignorant to think the well-known and respected Nehring name did not add to Nate’s popularity with the GOP, there is nothing “fishy” about the county political party’s choice. Political parties pick candidates they think can win. Sutherland probably is right in saying Nate Nehring was the least qualified of the nine contenders. He was picked over others with city council experience. But the most-qualified person doesn’t always get the job.

In Nate Nehring, the GOP obviously saw potential for the future. What he lacks in experience can be learned so he can be a mainstay in the party for years to come. The Democrats did the same thing with Aaron Reardon a decade ago. If no one else had a chance, and it was all worked out ahead of time, as Sutherland claims, it was up to him and the others to convince the county GOP otherwise.

Claims of nepotism is only sour grapes. Mayor Nehring did not pick his son. Nate Nehring was picked by the county Republican Party. And it was confirmed by the County Council, which includes Democrats.

Nate Nehring’s selection was politics. He was able to convince others he was the best candidate. If Ihler and Sutherland want to challenge Nehring on his votes so far as a county council member that’s one thing. But to use exaggerated negative campaigning is wrong. Even if they had a valid complaint, the time to mention it would have been right after the GOP selected Nate Nehring. Instead they waited two months before the election to publicly complain. That’s what looks more like a “scam alert.”

Ihler calls it backroom politics. We call it politics. Ihler needs to learn how to convince others he’s the best candidate if he ever hopes to get elected. He needs to stand up for what he is all about, instead of smearing another candidate.

Nate Nehring is the youngest person ever to serve on the council. That adds diversity, so it’s not a “good-old boys” club.

The council needs diversity. Frankly, we would have liked to see a woman such as Jesica Stickles in the mix as she was one of the nine GOP nominees.

We are glad to see that Miller is running. Not only would he add diversity, but he already has a wealth of experience. He actually is the only one of the four to ever be elected – to the county’s charter review committee.