Soap Box - Elections

“Don’t take it personal.” I recall more than one well-meaning person saying those words to me in 2001 after I was roundly trounced in my bid to become mayor of Post Falls. I had to laugh. Nothing is more personal than putting your name on a ballot, walking through the neighborhoods knocking on doors and asking complete strangers to vote for you. The candidate forums bring on nerves and insecurities that haven’t surfaced since junior high school. And then there’s asking friends and supporters to write a check to finance the campaign. Running for elected office on the local level is not for the faint of heart. Six years later I had dusted myself off and ran successfully for an open city council seat. Now ending my second year of a four-year term, I’m older, wiser and far more empathetic to those who toss their hat and their heart in the public ring.
When the votes are tallied Tuesday night there will be candidates in our communities who fell short in their quest for elected office. I offer my sincere appreciation to them all for their willingness to be part of the process and to be catalysts for ongoing dialogue on the issues that are important to us all. While congratulating the winners is a pleasant given, thanking their opponents should be an equal priority. We’re all better for their participation.