Dear Supporters!

Thank you so much for your support throughout my campaign! Yes, a bit disappointing here at the end, but what a wonderful, wonderful experience. A few years ago I'm not sure I would have imagined making such a run, but, man, I'm glad I did. Honestly, I didn't do it for myself, but because I truly believe we need inclusive smart growth that protects our watersheds, and I thought I had something to offer for that vision. You all know I'm a scientist at heart and the campaign-thing was truly outside my comfort-zone, but I'm proud of my campaign and the support from the more than 70 people that came forward with contributions! Thank you all for your help, money, and advice.

As you know, I had a self-imposed limit of $250 contributions, but I fear the emergence of SuperPACs at the county and city level, and what that means for shoestring local campaigns like mine. In the coming years, what these SuperPACS will mean for us all is that we'll all have to contribute more often to campaigns run by real people, and be much more politically aware and involved in getting out their messages. Any corporation facing a decision from a locally elected board with million dollar consequences now has motivation and a vehicle to pump unlimited funds into getting their "slate" elected. If we don't keep our collective eye on the ball, bad things will happen.

In the end, I learned so much from the experience. I had the chance to meet so many people doing so many important things in our community with so few resources; so many people working so hard for so little trying to make Durham a better place for everyone. It was humbling, and all of my efforts on boards and commissions seem so minimal in comparison. I was also hit by the incredible importance to our community of individuals acting together, rather than in competition, through organizations like Durham Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods (Durham CAN), yet it's the competition between organizations that seems to be shaping things. Let's change that.

I don't know where my future political winds will blow, but I encourage you all to spend time serving the community, if you don't already do so. It's a wonderful experience.

Thanks,

Will