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Treska Wilson-Smith: Endorsement of successor not ’what I’m willing to do’

PETERSBURG — Retiring Ward 1 City Councilor Treska Wilson-Smith is answering people criticizing her for not endorsing a successor by saying it is not her business to tell folks how to vote.

In a lengthy post on her Facebook account Friday, Wilson-Smith said she felt Ward 1 voters “will blame me” if she endorses one of the two people running and that person wins, yet does not deliver on their promises.

"Voters must vote based on the facts about the candidates and not based on my opinion," she wrote. "What do you like about the person? Can you trust them? Have they been involved in completing civic duties before running for office? What is it you like about the person, what is it you don't like about the person? Will that individual work to do your will or do you see them as just someone who will follow others? You must choose, not me choosing for you."

Marlow Jones and Chioma Adaku Griffin are vying for the seat Wilson-Smith held for the past 12 years. She had said at her last re-election that she would not seek another term.

In an interview with The Progress-Index this week, Wilson-Smith pulled no punches in detailing her reasons for stepping down. But she did not endorse either Jones or Griffin during the interview, and some people took to social media to criticize her for not revealing her choice.

More:Treska Wilson-Smith's tell-all: What her time on Petersburg City Council was truly like

"To endorse is to give support. I take it to mean that you want me to choose between the two candidates for Ward 1 and put my name behind that person," Wilson-Smith said. "The task you are giving me is an easy one, but, it is not one that I am willing to do."

She said there is a difference between an endorsement and helping out in a campaign.

"I have helped a plenty of people who want to run for office and will still do the same today. I will even help you out by pointing out some things you may not know about the candidates or things you just simply have not figured out," Wilson-Smith wrote. "If anyone is running for office and wants help in any way that I can give it, I will. Endorsing or telling you whom to vote for, I can't do. The choice is all yours."

Voters go to the polls Tuesday to elect councilors and School Board members in four of the seven wards, and cast ballots for the local House of Representatives race in all seven wards.

More:Voting in Petersburg? Here's all you need to know about who's on your ballot Tuesday

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor explains why she won't endorse a successor