Thinning the herd

The subject of what, if anything, I am running for next is one that comes up often. Not surprisingly perhaps, comments that I have heard or read run the spectrum from very encouraging to derisive. What is interesting is this, whenever a legislator works hard or takes on issues that don't just fall in their laps, people assume that they are simply doing it to try to make a move. I think that there are a number of legislators that are actually motivated by the simple desire to try to do some good things and not simply the thought of advancing to a higher office.

I look at the General Assembly as analogous to camping. Try to leave the place in better shape than you found it.

To be candid, at the urging of a number of people, I have taken a look at the State Treasurer race for 06. I think that it is a very winnable race should JBT not seek re-election, and one in which a person could take on some very substantive issues, but for the reasons stated below, I will not be a candidate in that election.

Through the quirks of geography, I am the State Rep for the Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller. Furthermore, if the wind is blowing out, I could probably hit Quinn's house and Jesse's house with a baseball from my district border. Ok, I couldn't, but maybe Osterman could, but you get the idea.

That being said, I just don't think that it is wise or a positive for the party to have another candidate from the same area. Too much campaign time would be spent dealing with a non-substantive issue rather than the issues that are important to that office. And there are many.

Many voters in this state would like to consider themselves somewhat independent. Given that the Democrats hold all but one of the constitutional offices, the Treasurer's race is an easy place for Democratic voters to show that independence by crossing over. To combat this, we need to have a candidate in that race that can distinguish themselves and bring something unique to the table. A good starting place would be some geographical diversity.

I won't get into who I think will run, but I think that we would be remiss not to field a strong candidate for what is a very winnable race. That is to say, don't just throw somebody from downstate on the ticket to say that we have balance, but support a qualified candidate who can articulate the issues and strengthen the overall party. (I'll talk more about this concept another time.)

As for myself, I have no idea what I am going to do at this stage. Every day brings somewhat different thoughts. I do know that I believe in the process and enjoy being a part of trying to make good things happen. What my future holds, if anything, I honestly don't know.