What I learned on the campaign trail: a post election reflection of mostly personal and some political lessonsI recently ran for an open position on my city's board of aldermen. I entered the race at the last minute and ran against a well-known personal injury attorney. My campaign was a purely grassroots, volunteer effort, and I raised about $1,700 from neighbors, family, and friends. My opponent spent over $10,000 of his own money. After a grueling and exhilarating five weeks of intense canvassing, I lost in the democratic primary on September 10th by 166 votes (ouch)!
Here, in no particular order, are some things I learned:
- A lot of people are really hurting - and worse - despairing about the state of their neighborhood
- My father was right
- When it comes to footwear, candidates and canvassers should always forsake fashion for comfort
- Some friends will love you because of your politics
- Some friends will love you in spite of your politics
- Many people don't believe their voices (votes) matter
- Democracy in action is awesome, but could use a tune up
- People will lie to get what the outcome they want, especially when they feel entitled to that outcome
- Divisions of race, ethnicity, gender, and class are staggeringly real right here at home
- The stalwart foot soldiers of community activism are not, by and large, politicians
