The race is over :(
As much of a shock as it might come to you, I DID NOT win the Portland Mayoral race last night. Seriously, winning the election was never the main goal. Getting more voices heard by our city government was the goal. Attempting to change the discourse of the race was the goal. Issues like education, gangs, poverty, and homelessness too often take a back seat to campaign rhetoric about job creation. I believed when I started my campaign back in January, and I still believe today, that until we get a handle on those issues our job market will continue to suffer. Hell, our society will continue to suffer! Spend a dollar now on educating children or pay eight dollars down the road on prisons and social programs. These aren’t wild eyed liberal fantasies. They are facts, proven over and over again in our society. By announcing at almost every debate or forum I participated in, that the next mayor of Portland HAS TO be The Education Mayor, people did take notice, as well as the “Big Three” candidates. Did it translate into a bunch of votes? Sadly no!
The people I met during the last four months make up an unbelievable cast of truly great people. Some are well known like Gov. Victor Atiyeh and Mayor Tom Potter. Others, not so well known, like Roosevelt High Principal Charlene Williams, who has managed significant increases in the schools’ graduation rate in just two short years. She’s had a lot of community help getting there. That’s what we need more of. A lot more of. It’s not always a matter of throwing more money at our problems. It’s more important that people start getting involved where the need for help is most pressing. That can be the school system. Mentoring youths - On the job apprenticeships - Gang outreach work, ETC. There’s no shortage of opportunities in which to get involved.
Government is another area that needs our undivided attention. Politics is a well-oiled machine and trying to change it leads to major resistance. Portland is no exception to this rule. When well meaning individuals get elected and try to enact changes, no matter how seemingly slight, they often run into a buzz saw, so to speak. It’s going to take a lot more people willing to take the risk of enacting change, whether by running for office or supporting those in office making a difference. We all like to complain about “The System,” but I beg you, please don’t give up on the system. It’s the only one we have. We have to work together, even when we don’t see eye to eye on every point. The next mayor, whether it’s Jefferson Smith or Charlie Hales, is going to need your support, because the job of managing this city is too big for any one person. Managing this city includes dealing with such disparate groups as the Police Union, the Occupy Movement and citizens who are mad as Hell over their water rates and property taxes! The next mayor is also going to need your “supervision” to make sure more voices get heard and that the right projects are being undertaken.
There are lots of reasons to be disgruntled with government, but there’s always more reasons to get involved and make it work. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that my pessimism and skepticism regarding government played a large part in my decision to run for mayor. This intensive, four-month crash course I have just completed has actually turned me around to being more optimistic about our city’s future. But, we have a long way to go to make a Better Portland.
My cousin Morgan and I bounced a lot of ideas off each other as I was going through the process of deciding whether or not to run, and I’m deeply indebted to him.
Deirdre, Carmen and Erik helped me immeasurably and had to share me with the city for these past few months. Time we’ll never get back, but hopefully they let me pay off the debt over time.
My business partner/Campaign Treasurer John Rose handled all the mundane accounting tasks associated with the campaign. I owe him big!
Then there’s Michael Evans, who acted as my campaign consultant/Brain during the race. We’re kindred spirits politically and socially. Being able to bounce ideas off each other and craft our thoughts, talking points, answers to seemingly endless questionnaires, fending off hostile Libertarians, ETC., he proved invaluable. Thanks.
Finally, thanks to all of you who supported me and the campaign, both emotionally and financially, and didn’t think I was off my rocker. It’s much appreciated.
-Bill
