Living in the COVID-19 World ... and Beyond #16: Going Public with My Political Preferences

This fall, we had several open races for leadership positions in my town of Stamford, CT.   I attended multiple candidate debates (virtually) in order to learn more about the candidates and their views.   I read everything that was written in our local paper about the various candidates.  I even read the candidates’ websites.   I knew two of the candidates for our local school board, one of whom I have been partnering with quite actively regarding local anti-racism work.   

As the date of the election neared, the newspaper reported that the key races were anticipated to be quite close.   And my preferred candidate for mayor seemed to be behind.   It certainly looked that way judging by the relative number of yard signs for her opponent. 

I decided that I wanted to do something to impact the local races and not be silent.

I decided that I would write an email to a few local friends communicating how I was thinking about the local election, who I was voting for and why, and encouraging them to do the same.  

I drafted an email with these few friends in mind that turned out to be a full endorsement of a mayoral candidate, two people running for the school board, and one candidate for the board of finance.   I provided the rationale behind my advocacy for my preferred candidates.   

I showed the draft letter to my wife, and she thought it looked good.

So, then I needed to send my letter.   At first, I thought of three people that I felt comfortable with expressing my political views.   And then another, and another, and another.   I surprised myself by continuing to add names.  At the end, I had 30 email addresses.   There were 30 people in Stamford that I felt friendly enough with that I could communicate my political preferences and that it would be OK.   And there were even more people that I know in Stamford but whom I decided that I did not have enough of a relationship with to send my letter.

I sent the letter with trepidation.   I had never sent a political endorsement letter before.   Was I invading my personal friendships by injecting political preferences?   I realized that if I saw these friends and we had a conversation, I would be fine interjecting politic preferences.   I was worried though about doing this as a one-way communication, that somehow I was imposing on them.

I was surprised to receive replies from half of the recipients, all thanking me for sharing my views.   Several even said that they had not been following the local elections and would simply do what I suggested.   Others said they agreed with me.   Only one person openly disagreed with one of my choices.   

The elections are now over, and they were narrowly decided.   It turns out that the folks that I wanted to win, won … but not by much.   I don’t know how much influence I had, and I know I had at least some influence.

I’m really glad that I decided to put my political preferences out in the open and send the letter to my friends.   It might be that the outcome was impacted.