— Politics are not the cleanest business in the world.

Sometimes it seems as if everyone — including voters — are dirtied by the process.

Elections should be about a candidate telling voters what they can do if elected.

Elections should be about a candidate’s qualifications.

Unfortunately, not everyone plays fair.

The recently completed investigation of Muskogee County Commissioner Stephen Wright is the most recent example of what’s wrong with the system.

Wright, who is trying to be re-elected to the District 2 seat, was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s probe.

Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore said he saw nothing in the OSBI’s report that would warrant the prosecution of Wright.

Moore called the allegations of Wright using county money, parts, and labor to build a fence for one of his foremen “frivolous.”

“The allegations ... were initiated by someone who has pleaded guilty to a felony and is currently on felony probation,” Moore said.

It appears the accusations were not only “frivolous,” but also politically motivated.

The accusations were brought to the attention of the OSBI. The OSBI’s investigation was brought to light during the campaign.

The timing was, to be kind, interesting; to be blunt — disgusting.

The accusations miraculously surfaced during Wright’s campaign — just days before the primary election.

This is in no way an endorsement of Wright as county commissioner.

This is about the people who — according to the district attorney and the OSBI — falsely accused a candidate during an election season.

Very little can be done to stop this kind of baseless attack against someone running for office.

It, unfortunately, is part of the process of running for office.

People will attack candidates.

Hopefully, the voters will try hard to get to the bottom of each candidate’s qualifications.

Hopefully, the voters won’t spend much time considering rumor, innuendo and lies.

Hopefully, voters won’t be influenced by election politics.

It is up to the voters — in every election from municipal to national — to vote for the candidate most qualified for the office.