Considering that all we hear from most candidates during election year is policy-related, I thought it important to dip into the personal lives of two special local candidates. My view is that it’s important to know the “person” behind the candidate.

The two candidates I speak of are State Representative Bob Pritchard and a candidate for DeKalb County state’s attorney, the short but much-loved Calvin “Clay” Campbell. To know these candidates well, one must glance into their marriage or romantic life – which we will do right now.

I asked Pritchard if he is a romantic man. His response was that he thinks so, but he can’t say because there are many definitions to “romantic.”

“I find romance in sharing things together, going on vacations, doing things together and supporting her interests,” Pritchard said.

He often surprises his wife with flowers and jewelry.

And ultimately, he has tried to be a source of help, comfort and strength during hard times.

As most know, Pritchard’s wife is currently fighting cancer.

When the couple first found out, they sought hope and prayed. Indeed, the couple’s faith is the cement that binds their relationship; thus, they are comfortable with life’s fragility and know they’re blessed.

“Supportive” and “hopeful” are two adjectives that accurately describe this public couple.

State’s attorney candidate Campbell has also held the hand of his wife as she passed through the fire of cancer.

When Lisa Campbell was told she had liver cancer, she saw another side of her husband that she had never seen in the past: Clay was crying for his wife.

He showed her “how much [she] meant to him,” Lisa told me. Clay was “there for [her] to lean on” during tribulation.

Ultimately, the experience contributed to Clay’s ambition to run for public office.

He told me how he realized how short life was and that “we should have no regrets.” He discovered the importance of pursuing the dreams of his heart and that is to be a public servant. When Campbell told me this, he radiated a unique and fresh energy.

Lisa also described Clay as very romantic and said he makes the best of the little time he has to spend with her.

He sends her flowers on special occasions and writes poetry for and about her; he sounds almost as romantic as the author!

Lisa loves her husband’s eyes and wrinkles more than anything. “His wrinkles reflect his care and honesty,” she told me.

Pritchard and Campbell are two fabulous candidates that have solid, well-rounded personal backgrounds. They and their wives are kind, honest and warm-hearted.

Remember this final thought, my friends: The health of our personal lives determines the excellence of our accomplishments. It’s prudent to consider this before casting our vote.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.