Latest campaign announcement
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I don't want your money.
I have made the decision to NOT take outside campaign contributions from ANYONE in this election cycle. Yes, you read that right. Someone who is running for office, does not want your money.
As a candidate for the office of 2nd Ward Councilman, a large part of the duty will consist of the fiduciary duty to make sure that all of your taxpayer dollars are spent as smartly as possible. In a race where just over 800 votes were made in the last election, what kind of sense does it make to spend thousands of other peoples dollars so I can maybe get my face onto a billboard, to win a few more votes in a race like this? I am going to spend my own money on a few things like signs and post cards, and that is it. In the 21st century being able to utilize all of the free media of social media and talking to people in the neighborhood makes a lot more sense than an intense media campaign. I see not wasting other people's money as starting during the campaign, and am acting accordingly today, and not just as a vague promise for future activity.
One more reason I don't want to take outside money is also very straight forward. A News Dispatch article in September reported that 53% of the population of Michigan City is "income challenged. When people give donations to politicians the implicit idea there is that the politician is then going to act on policies that the donors want to see happen. By swearing off donations, I am swearing off the outside influence that comes by taking other people's money. I am also looking out for the 53% of our residents who don't have the extra money to be able to give to politicians and become the recipient of the influence that money can buy. You will not have to wonder who is financing and influencing my campaign, because the answer is me. This will allow me to listen to EVERYONE who wants to talk about the future of the 2nd ward and Michigan City, and not just those with dollars to spare.
My goal to is represent everyone equally, and the best way to do that, is to not seek thousands of dollars and the influence that is implicit with those dollars. All I am going to ask of people is to share my campaign with your 2nd ward friends and neighbors. No admission required. And as always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I want to hear from you!