Complete this sentence: The worst part of campaign season is ….

Campaign texts are a top candidate for us. We happen to receive a flashy campaign text this season from a candidate’s campaign or supportive group and replied STOP. Then that campaign or an ally sent us another from another number.

We hope you aren’t similarly blessed.

The campaign texts arrive in addition to the constant survey requests, what can be multiple reminders of appointments, very suspicious mystery texts, and the texts that people were actually hoping for. Campaign texts can seem more intrusive than the political literature dumped in the mailbox or the ads on television or online.

We have some news about how to bring the campaign message texts to an end. You cannot. Unless the law changes and that survives any Constitutional challenge, it’s protected speech. Do you think politicians want to lose a tool for accessing voters? Do you expect this to be the issue that will unite this Congress?

And more good news: It may not even be in your interest to type STOP every time you receive one. Yes, that should stop them from sending more from that number. It also indicates that the number is active. That information can be shared around.

So what are you to do?

On most phones, text messages can be squelched or at least reduced. Maybe, if you don’t like getting campaign texts and do get a one-on-one moment with a candidate, tell them that campaign texts turn you off. And maybe, they will tune down that part of any campaign.