Opinion ID: 765124
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mattox

Text: 23 Turning to Mattox first, we understand the thrust of her complaint to be that the adverse publicity she received caused her to lose the election. The video and the final report do indeed contain many references to Mattox, most of them unfavorable. It is clear that she was viewed by many, including those who put together the report, as having acted outside the scope of her proper role as a member of council by improperly interjecting herself into the ongoing investigations. Discussions and accusations about the people and events surrounding these investigations played themselves out in public conversation, in council meetings, in the press, and in the final report and video at issue in this case. Although the events in Forest Park were perhaps more bitter or more divisive than similar political battles elsewhere, they are not thereby constitutionally actionable. Mattox, a political figure, staked out a controversial position on a political issue in her town, and it cost her political capital and, ultimately, a re-election bid. 24 As an elected public official, Mattox voluntarily placed herself open to criticism of her actions and views on political matters. A deliberate attempt to discredit Mattox, especially if initiated in retaliation for her actions in investigating the fire department, is perhaps an inappropriate and unfortunate occurrence, but on the facts of this case, it is not the type of adverse action against which the First Amendment protects. It is not equivalent to being fired by a government employer for expressing protected views. We do not think it would deter a public official of ordinary firmness from exercising his or her right to speak under the First Amendment. Public officials may need to have thicker skin than the ordinary citizen when it comes to attacks on their views. Mattox has not pleaded sufficient injury to make out a claim for First Amendment retaliation.