Submitted by Bruce Dammeier, Executive.
2024 has been a year of international turmoil and uncertainty. We are witnessing wars being waged in many places, elections in major international countries, with some elections considered a sham. I am thankful to live in our country where we decide our leaders with ballots and not bullets – the recent assassination attempt on the former president notwithstanding.
While there are still ballots to count from this week’s Primary Election, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the candidates who ran for public office. The vast majority run because they want to make our community better (Mike the Mover being one of the possible exceptions). Thank you!
Having been a candidate a few times myself, I know and appreciate what it takes to mount a campaign and make your case to the voting public.
Of course, everyone wants to advance to the General Election, but I want to especially offer my appreciation to those who saw their dream come to an end this week. Whether a first-time candidate or a veteran of many races, I’m grateful for their willingness to share their ideas, and invest time, money, and shoe leather with the goal of serving the public.
With the field narrowed, the weeks leading up to November will be filled with statements, assertions, exaggerations, and outright tall tales as candidates work to promote themselves as the smarter, more experienced leader our community needs. I encourage you, the voting public, to listen with a discerning ear and do your best to fact check as much as possible.
There is a great deal at stake in this year’s election and I’m proud we live in a country with free and fair elections. Our votes give us a voice in who governs and initiatives give us a role in direct lawmaking.
Before I close, I also want to express my thanks to those who step up to administering this foundational process – the Elections Team in our Auditor’s Office. Theirs is a difficult job with a tremendous amount of scrutiny from others. And the General Election is coming quickly for them, too!
Thanks for reading.
