Too much life going on today to get out and gather some signatures. I did get the chance to talk to some folks, which will lead to some signatures down the line.
It’s very early in the process, but I can already see that the next 7 months, leading up to election day on August 4, 2020, will not be lacking for pressure and anxiety. I’ve got 10 days now to get my petition filled with signatures (25 required, but aiming for 50). That’s a drop in the bucket of the number of voter contacts I’ll need to make to hope to put on a decent showing in this election. The Republican winner of this race in 2016 got about 2500 votes and the Democrat got 1900. I start at a disadvantage in a heavily red district. I’m at more of a disadvantage because I’m committed to taking money out of the process, so I’m likely to be way outspent by whomever I run against. I’m sure I’ll get help along the way, but this race is on me.
The threshold question for my candidacy is that an election should include a choice. If I wasn’t running, it’s very likely the Republican candidate would be running unopposed in the general election. Getting the required signatures to get my name on the ballot means that the voters of Knox County – District 4 will have a choice when they go to vote. That’s a win. But it’s also not enough. When I get past this hurdle, there are going to be other things to focus on. The symbolic victory of making sure voters have a real choice on August 4 could still end up just being the same old politics of the Knox County Commission. Get on the ballot and I have the opportunity to try and shake things up. And that’s what I plan to do. But first, get on the ballot or none of that happens.
So, see you tomorrow, hopefully, with another update.