The beginning of the campaign season has officially begun. State Sen. Hank Erwin on Sunday announced his intention to run for the office of lieutenant governor, an event that was followed in short order by State Rep. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) announcing his intention to run for Erwin’s soon to be vacated seat.

“Running for the Senate is an opportunity to continue listening to the concerns of the citizens and be an even stronger advocate for them in Montgomery,” Ward said in a Monday release.

Though this piece is not an endorsement for Ward, we agree with the thought. Listening to the concerns of state residents should always be every politician’s No. 1 priority—but now especially so.

With businesses struggling, the unemployment lines growing, and people, in many cases, becoming despondent, now is the time for open and honest debate about the issues facing our state and our country. Now is not the time for the mud slinging that has become all too common in state elections the past few years.

This campaign season should be treated like a fresh start for public officials, a chance to put mud-slinging tactics in the closet and instead focus on what needs to be done to get our country back on track. That’s what we’re concerned about.