I hadn’t paid much attention to the 2^nd District congressional race because I live in the 1^st district. I was listening to the radio when I heard that Tiffany Bond, the independent in the race, was scheduled to appear in a debate hosted by Maine Public, The Portland Press Herald, and the Sun Journal. My interest was piqued when I realized neither Jared Golden nor Bruce Poliquin had accepted the request to appear. Both political parties decided it was inconsequential to debate Bond. She wasn’t a real threat.

Independent candidate Tiffany Bond speaks Tuesday during a debate at WCSH in Portland. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald

I had remembered Bond from her run in 2018, though barely. Now I listened intently. I was impressed. She hadn’t earned a high school degree nor a GED but had gone to community college and ultimately earned four advanced degrees, including a law degree. Her answers were solid and refreshing. Moreover, she wasn’t asking for money. Instead, she wanted Mainers to invest in local businesses and donate to heating funds. So why weren’t people talking about her?

With two minutes remaining in her solo “debate,” the moderator reminded viewers how Bond had “helped” Golden win through ranked-choice voting. Her “role” could again “propel one of the candidates to victory.” Who did she prefer? Instead of asking why someone should vote for her, Bond was asked which opponent she’d support!

The next morning, the Sun Journal and the Bangor Daily News reported on the 2^nd District race. The Sun Journal reported on the forum and highlighted Bond’s positions. But the Bangor Daily News ran a different kind of article. Front and center were two photos. One of Poliquin. One of Golden. Not one of Bond. Instead of reporting on Bond’s forum, it examined the 2018 debate, listed positions by Golden and Poliquin, and ignored Bond almost entirely.

The treatment of Bond has since continued to be dismissive. When all three of the candidates did debate on the same stage, the moderator discussed abortion and reproductive rights but neglected to ask Bond for a response. Bond quipped, “Does a woman get to answer that question?”

Three male political analysts on News Center Maine discussed the debate afterward. Apart from Bond’s abortion response, none touched on any of her positions, yet they discussed Golden and Poliquin at length. Though “Tiffany” was “very classy and elegant,” one commentator wondered, “why she is running for this office in the first place.”

Another article in the Bangor Daily News cast Bond as an afterthought. Though it included a photo of Bond, the headline implied she wasn’t part of the debate (“Bruce Poliquin Takes ‘America First’ line in lone debate with Jared Golden”) and mentioned Bond only in the final two paragraphs.

Finally, Bond was interviewed on Maine 207 and the host questioned her choice to run again. He said it took “moxie” to run for Congress and asked why she wasn’t running for lower office to “establish her chops.” Bond reminded him that she had previously served as a city official, not to mention the fact that she has a law degree might qualify her to read and draft laws.

Has Bond been mistreated because she’s independent? Numerous independents have been given fairer coverage in recent years than Bond. They’ve just been males.

Bond’s treatment as a candidate has been unique. From offering her less time during a debate, to less space on a page, to being erased by pundits, these men — and I’ll note they are all men — are making judgments for voters. And influencing the election. She isn’t worth their time; and therefore, not the voters’ time.

As Bond told me, “The only reason I’m a ‘long shot’ is because the media is calling me a long shot.”

In the post-debate discussion, one analyst said Bond didn’t separate herself from the others. He failed to note Bond’s substantive ideas regarding student loans compared to Poliquin and Golden, who offered no alternatives. These analysts instead proceeded to talk about Poliquin’s tieless wardrobe and Golden’s flannel shirt and jeans. Was I watching political pundits or the red carpet at the Oscars?

Even Bond’s children have picked up on it. She shared with me, “The News Center debate wasn’t live this year, so I was able to watch it with my family. It hit home when our younger son asked why the men were getting so much more time than I was. If a 9-year-old boy notices things aren’t fair, then why can’t the grown-ups make sure we give candidates time based on the quality of their ideas?” Excellent question.

Is Bond the right candidate for voters? That’s for voters to decide. Fair and balanced reporting should be the standard in all journalism. But men in journalism and political coverage need to take Bond seriously and give her the dignity of coverage so the electorate can make an informed decision.

And where are the men calling out this behavior? Why does this woman have to do it? A woman, I might add, who will be dismissed by many because she is pointing out bias and sexism.

Hilary Koch lives in Waterville. She can be reached at: hilarykoch@pm.me