The General Elections of 2022 are behind us. I say to every person and every organization that endorsed my campaign, made contributions, answered a helpful phone-call, provided a forum: Thank You.
The future doesn’t look as bleak to me as it did a year ago, even up til November of the elections. In Boone County, we are buoyed as David Tyson-Smith returns to the Missouri Legislature, pointing the way for newcomers Kathy Steinhoff, Doug Mann, and Adrian Plank.
I am not, however, sanguine. Avoiding the more worse harms on the ballot is a relief, but not grounds to halt.
Consequently, I and other Democrats ponder the question: What’s to be done about Boone County’s 44th Missouri House District? Should anyone try again? Should I try again, as I am encouraged, regardless losing 9 to 5? What’s to be gained from running in a district that most people agree cannot be won by a Democrat?
Over the next few weeks, into spring, I and others will be figuring what to do. I entertain a coalition of Boone County voters who have, over successive elections, voted for increased minimum wages and against “Right to Work”; who voted to expand Medicaid; who voted for election reform with Clean; who voted to legalize marijuana – twice.
I contend those voters are not election deniers or conspiracy fans. Those voters want better roads and reliable broad-band. Those voters want reliable and better funding for their schools and school buses. Those voters are fine with their school boards and parent committees setting curricula. Those voters are fine having their library boards decide what books to shelve and who can get them when. Those voters want public officials they can trust to tell the truth, so they can trust their local health boards.
We know the paradox: Voters elect people who thwart what the voters say they want. The voters are placated with tax cuts, drippings of a few dollars for the mass of them.
The sources of the paradox, we also know: A woman’s dominion over her body; the Public’s need to regulate firearms.
It’s a conundrum.
Interested persons are welcomed to drop me a note with their thoughts on what to do, either below (email) or over at my Facebook candidate page.
Once again, thanks to everyone for the help and support.
-Dave Raithel