A Ballot of One's Own

It somehow feels a little more official every time I see my name printed somewhere like this but, at the same time, a little strange. Until this year I have spent my life on the other end of the ballot and seeing my name on one is a new and interesting experience. Running for office is a lot of work and presents many challenges but it is also a really informative and enriching experience. I enjoy interacting with voters and when people share with me the things that are important to them and the ways in which they believe government could better support their needs and the needs of their community I feel the real importance of voter outreach. That may be my name on the ballot, but it also represents the hundreds of conversations I have had with voters about their lives and the things that matter to them. We have common cause, we have shared interests and we communicate and work together we are more.