Yes, it is me again, surfacing as the "real me" - not long time DKos member [username redacted]. This is the third time in as many years that I am running for local office. I am hoping the third time is the "charm."
In 2009, I ran for Rensselaer County Legislature in upstate New York, across the Hudson River from Albany. I ran because I was asked. I ran because I really believe in Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy. I was trounced. I vowed never to run again.
Then I was approached by the Schodack Town Democratic chair to run in a special election for an open seat on our town board. I really didn't want to run again. But then I came back to the 50-State Strategy and the belief that Democrats can't win if we don't run.
In 2010, I felt great about my chances of winning. I was well-known in the town, having worked at the local school for 20 years. I planned my campaign using the Democracy for America Campaign School guidelines. I analyzed the voting data and came up with my win number.
But we all know how 2010 was - huge GOP turnout - and even though I exceeded my win number by more than 200 votes, I still lost by almost 300.
So OK, THAT was the last time I was going to run. For SURE.
But the town chair wore me down, so once again, I am hitting the bricks going door-to-door, writing letters to the editor, attending a Meet the Candidate Night that the incumbents refused to attend - the whole nine yards.
I write this after having gone door-to-door for the last three hours, just before the big snow storm hit.
I am tired and cold but I am not tired and cold because I am at Occupy Albany. I am tired and cold because I am trying to bring openness, honesty and transparency to my little corner of the world. I am running to become only the third Democrat to hold a seat on a town board that has been in Republican hands since it became an incorporated municipality in 1795.
If you would like to learn more about my campaign or show me some campaign love and support, please visit my page on the Schodack Town Democrats webpage or my ActBlue page.
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