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Campaigning In A Pandemic: No Baby Kissing Forecast

Antonio Villaraigosa kisses a baby in the Grand Central Market on election day, June 5, 2001. (David McNew/Getty Images)

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There's a new reality on the campaign trail.

The COVID-19 threat means no in-person contact with volunteers, donors or potential voters.

See that image above of then-mayoral hopeful Antonio Villaraigosa? Well, shaking hands and kissing babies are out. And, at least in local elections, going negative may also be be out.

Political consultant John Shallman told us:

"People are going to have to really know that this may not be the right time to run these harsh, negative, personal campaigns. This may be more of, 'How do I turn my campaign to be a campaign of service?'"

We take a deeper look at the changes for candidates hoping to win this November.

READ MORE:

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