Category: Politics

When you tell people you’re running for office, they usually run the other way.

But if they don’t escape the conversation, they have questions. Like why.

We all probably would benefit from to asking ourselves why more often in daily life. But for the would-be elected official, this question is the first and the most important. It’s the one I asked myself in order to get here. Why am I running for office?

My answer is this: I think I can help.

That’s not the usual answer. The usual answer is something about being called to public service. Or about being fed up with the incumbent (who is from that other party.)

I think I can help because of who I am, but also who I am not. I am not wealthy, nor am I a Democrat or a Republican. I am not a career politician or even an attorney. I have not had exceptional success among my peers. And I do not come from a political family.

I am a lot more like you.

I think unconnected, non-political people who aren’t rich are the most common, and most underrepresented group in America.

I’m running for us. Because we, the people, need more of us.

That’s why. Next question?

Hello friends.

I’m writing this short post to make a private decision public. I intend to run as an independent for the U.S. Congress in the Fifth District.

These proclamations are typically made in large public events with speeches and banners and rally signs. There’s supposed to be hundreds of people, media coverage, and an outline of the candidate’s platform listed in handy, bumper-sticker-sized slogans. And, of course, there are the appeals for donations.

You know this. You’ve seen it all before. And I’m not sure it’s really working that well for any of us.

Which is why I am making an anti-announcement. Because right now, this is not a big deal. Right now, it’s only a speck of an idea. There’s nothing to celebrate yet.

For it to become something, I have to convince you—and hundreds of thousands of other people—that I am worthy of your trust. That I will listen and learn. That I know I have work to do and I will do that work. That this campaign isn’t about me, but about you.

That’s an enormous ask, which is why I am not asking for anything else.

That’s it for now. More, of course, is to come. Thank you for reading.

Happy Independence Day.