Campaigns are continuing to heat-up as city and county election day gets closer.   On Thursday, Incumbent Mayor David Miller premiered a commercial, accusing opponent, Tom Martin, of wrongdoing more than two decades ago.   Tonight, we get a glimpse at what some voters think about the recent mudslinging.

    "This mayor's race is the worst I've ever seen it," says JoAnn Gable Thomas, who has lived in Lubbock since 1972. "I expect that from Washington politicians but not from West Texans."  

Llast Thursday, some Lubbock politicians appeared to be jumping on the band wagon of running smear campaigns.  Incumbent Mayor David Miller's camp debuted a commercial attacking opponent, Tom Martin's character.   The commercial claims back in the late 1980's while Martin was working for the Lubbock Police Dpt., he placed a gun on his desk while speaking to a female employee about her job performance.  Some say the accusations against Martin may in fact be true. "There's a lot of truth behind it, but every side is going to sway it to their advantage," says voter, Tasha Fowler.  Others say they're not so sure they believe what Miller says happened.  I asked Ms. Thomas, "Why do you think Miller did this?"  Thomas answered, "Lack of integrity and he is so desparate to win this election and he can't find anything truthful about Tom Martin to put him down so, he has to make up a damn lie." 

    But, true or not, voters seem to agree, bringing it to the attention of voters through a commericial is an ineffective way of running a campaign.  Voter, Kathy MacDonald says, "I think it should be about the politics, not about making eachother look bad because that doesn't help anybody.  Cory Folsom adds, "I think it's ridiculous.  There's no reason to beat somebody down just because you think your policies might be better. I mean, just debate them on the policies, don't bring up bad blood from 20 years ago. 

     Some say if Miller was hoping this ad would get him more votes, they're not convinced it's working in his favor. "I've heard so many pepole say they're not even going to vote because they don't want to deal with it," MacDonald says.  Thomas says, "I tell you one thing. If i wasn't going to vote for Martin, I am now."  Others say they still believe this ad could end up helping Miller win the election afterall, but nonetheless they're hoping future mayoral campaigns don't get as nasty as this one. "It makes me feel sorry for politics in general," says Fowler.


     The Mayoral Candidates had to hand-in their campaign finances on Friday.  Miller raised more than $68,000 in April, while Martin raised nearly $35,000.  Early voting ends on Tuesday and election day is May 10th.  Keep in mind, Roger Settler and Gilbert Montes are also running for Mayor.