While much of the state’s political focus is on the drama that unfolds at the annual Neshoba County Fair, there’s been plenty of political intrigue and excitement here in Lincoln County.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said that political mailers sent to local residents are “suspicious” because the group that sent them out hadn’t properly filed campaign finance reports.

The mailers attacked Sen. Sally Doty; similar mailers were sent out in other Senate districts. They were not only vicious and graphic, they weren’t based on facts either.

But that wasn’t all the group got wrong. The campaign finance filings for National Association for Gun Rights show no income or disbursements since Jan. 1.

“Either they are doing mailers for free, or someone is not being truthful in disclosure,” Hosemann said.  “This type of politics denigrates the entire voting process, promotes voter apathy in Mississippi and discourages future candidates.  We are pleased the Attorney General is looking into these mailers.”

Doty’s opponent in Tuesday’s primary, Mike Campbell, said he had nothing to do with the attack mailers.

It’s unfortunate that these mailers were sent out so close to the primaries. While we hope the public takes the time to read the fine print on the mailers, we know some won’t. We know some will likely take them at face value.

Hosemann is right when he says these types of attack mailers hurt the voting process. We can only hope they haven’t done too much damage.