Wyatt:  I politely disagree that Art is nasty, but I acknowledge that he is unabashedly hyper-partisan.  I'm also sure that his professional interactions were significantly dialed  back during his career. 

I'm tired of the tendency to demonize those with different opinions.  I'd be willing to bet that Art and I differ on 80% or more of political issues, but people are so much more than that.  I'm sure Art was the best husband and father that he could be. I can tell he took his job very seriously, and he's an encyclopedia of the state's hiring processes, union relationships, personalities, and contract changes through the years.  

My state experience was very different from yours.  My coworkers were smart, dedicated, and hard working.  The exceptions were few, these few workers could poison the environment for many. I wish more managers had taken the time and effort to terminate them.