Politics

One thing I didn’t include in last night’s politics post, that I perhaps should have, is that in considering moving for a chance at higher office, there is a real conflict between: a) where I could do the most good b) where I could have a real chance of being elected c) where I am

Okay, I’m just going to talk this out a little, and this is a little more frank than I think one normally is about running for office, but it’s also all completely obvious to anyone who actually pays attention to these things, so I think it’s fine. Transparency is how I work, regardless, and hopefully

I’m a little worried that people will have seen my local race, noticed how much time and energy it took, and will be discouraged from local office.  I want to make clear that this race was really atypical.  A lot of people in Oak Park, myself included, were clearly energized by the November election results,

File 770 ran a little piece about my run.   Thanks for all the support, SF/F!  

More people who were essential to this campaign: Franki T. Dolley, who kept track of donations, sent thank you notes, and mailed bookmarks and pins to supporters. Zeina Yacoub and Ben Kaplan, campaign volunteers and canvassers; Ben is an experienced campaigner and was full of helpful information. Samuel Sukaton, a campaign manager from out West,

I keep coming back to what various people who know politics told me at the beginning of this process, which boils down to: “Anyone can win an election if you shake enough hands.” Statistical analysis shows that about 80% of people will vote for you if they meet you in person and shake your hand.

So many people helped with this campaign, but there are a few stand-outs who must be thanked with extra enthusiasm — Kelly O’Keefe, who came to me after an Oak Park Progressive Women’s meeting and told me, “You should run for office,” IL State Rep. Theresa Mah, who took time out of her incredibly busy

5,564 people voted for me. Wow. That’s going to take a while to take in.