Preparing content

Found out that there’s some “extended nomination period” for this race, so I won’t have official notice that I’m a “qualified candidate” until Wednesday. I took the extra day to polish up some things. Fingers crossed no more delays. Setting up is going well, should have a decent basic set of “complete” materials by tomorrow.

Time flies! I’ve been talking to voters, and doing a lot of research, and have come to learn just how disheartened and disgusted so many of you are. It’s worse than I thought.

In this last phase I’ll be focusing on calling out bullshit of various sorts, because there really is a lot, and I’m convinced it’s what drives so many voters to just tune it all out. Not healthy for our would-be government of the people.

I’ve posted two related videos (short and long), based on the new focus. More to come as fast as I can produce them.

Outreach continues, along with various site improvements to make it easier for people to find what they need to know about me and this campaign. Onward to the finish!

I realized that the issue underlying everything I’m doing with this campaign is Equal Representation. It’s something we aspire to as a nation, and I believe it needs attention.

In other news:

• My KRCB interview is up, and I’m recording another with KQNY 91.9 FM in Quincy tomorrow.
• Site aesthetics and consistency — so far I’ve focused more on content, but appearances count too. This will be ongoing, and feedback welcome as always.

(this is verbatim what I put on the campaign landing page)

There are still “hours to go”, so spend that minute if you haven’t already.

I just posted my “Campaign Closing” video to social and my short-video catalog, take a look.

Many thanks to all who have supported me on this fantastic adventure. I’ll be posting a full retrospective in a week or so, after what I consider a well-deserved break. See you then!

But the big news today is: This is my last day at work — I’ll be retired as of this evening!

Now the campaign kicks into high gear, with district-wide visits, more interviews and appearances, new campaign materials, and regular site updates.

Tonight’s update takes us from roughly 20% complete (just the fundamentals) to about 70%, with the full shape of the campaign clearly mapped out. There’s enough to answer most of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions about the campaign.

There are too many additions and updates to list, but a few of note:

• A lot more about who I am and why and how you should support me.
• A tale of two District 1s explains, with graphics, what happened here.
• Proposition 50 explains how we can, and should, make it through the primary.
• Get Involved updated and expanded.
• The Elephant (and Donkey) in the room updated.
• More to come lists the queue of ongoing campaign development.

I hope to soon meet many of you in person! Keep in touch.

With tonight’s update the site is ready to provide a solid base for the campaign. I’ll still be adding and refining up to election day, but now it’s time to focus on short messaging videos every day or so, and get the Social Media channels fired up.

One obvious change on the site is replacing “put people before parties” with “say NO! to partisan nonsense”. Of course I still believe in putting people before parties, but that message feels rather bland compared to what I’m hearing from constituents. It’s worse out there than I’d imagined — a lot of people are really fed up with what can only be termed nonsense, indeed.

A lot of pages have been clarified and expanded. Thank you to those providing helpful review and feedback.

One major update is A Tale of Two District 1s. This was in part because I think it’s important for voters to understand what’s going on, but it’s also a good example of how I operate: I work to understand complex issues and then do my best to help others understand as well. The page is a bit long and wonky, but I hope it’s also clear and interesting.

A significant campaign move is that I’ve nailed down No Fundraising. I had considered setting up for limited donations, but I went back to an earlier idea instead — I’d love to hear your take. I also hope you enjoy the strange and wonderful experience that in part drove the decision.