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By: Frank Parlato

Analysis

Like much of Seth Piccirillo’s campaign, the dirty work is being carried out by his campaign surrogates. The latest round of campaign attacks against his primary opponent Robert M. Restaino have come in the way of defamatory photos (aka memes).

Just a few months ago Piccirillo was on record, in a campaign video released on his Facebook page, stating: “we’ve all seen how opposition is usually done in a political campaign. It’s second hand. It’s cowardly. We’re not going to do that.  I’m not going to rely on [] surrogates, paid journalism or anonymous mailers to deliver direct talk.  That’s just not me.  I’m also not going to spend a whole lot of time talking about my opponents.”

Perhaps the pressure is getting to him? Or maybe the true colors of Piccirillo are beginning to shine through. Regardless, the fact that Piccirillo is having campaign surrogates spread these images, without putting out a statement condemning them, is illustrative of his desperation to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor; Paul Dyster.

Piccirillo has not condemned the release and dissemination of these images just as he didn’t object to campaign supporters handing out negative news articles on his opponent at the first democratic primary mayoral debate.

An image being spread on social media by purported campaign surrogate Ken Cosentino.

An image being spread on social media by purported Piccirillo campaign surrogate Jake Opyd.