Of course there is a process for recommendation and appointment to fill the position, but Stuart’s announcement was barely “dry on the page” (I’m a print guy and won’t apologize for that) when the race was on to identify the list of three to be recommended to the remaining commissioners for appointment to the unexpired term. The real question became in all of this: Who would be the out-of-the-box candidate that no one expected, but could carry the day and win election countywide? Then the questions came about who the two remaining commissioners would want to appoint. Would it be someone who could step in and contribute immediately? Would they select someone who would be easy to beat in the fall election? Would they want anyone interested in taking the job and running for election at the same time? Would they appoint a woman?
This has been fascinating to watch as someone who has spent absolutely no time, personally, considering such questions and gamesmanship. That is, until the question was posed to me: “John, why don’t you seek the appointment and run?”
Me? Really? I quickly realized it was put to me seriously, with an expectation for me to not only consider it, but to answer.
Committed to a vibrant community that is responsive, inclusive and responsible, it seemed I had no choice but to consider the proposition. Why me? Why not me? If not me who? Could I do it? Do I want to do it? Is my family willing to suffer the campaign? What if I win? What about the Business Journal? And dozens more questions.
It’s intoxicating to be recruited, not to mention being told by longtime politicos in the community, quite matter-of-factly that “you’ll win.” Intoxicating!
Over the last few weeks I have considered the possibility, spent time imagining myself on the commission dais engaged in the debate of the week, marching in every parade in the county, sitting in on C-Tran board meetings and Sherwood Hills Neighborhood Association meetings.
I considered the comments about my skills offered by people I didn’t think paid attention to me outside of writing a controversial opinion piece every now and then. I also heard, loudly, the desire for a centrist candidate, someone who would bring a ‘good for the entire county’ perspective to discussions.
I always believed running for office needed to be a family decision, and until recently the family wasn’t on board so neither was I. Their change of heart allowed me the opportunity to consider this call.
How do I say yes? How do I say no? What is the correct answer, and more to the point, which is the right answer?
For me, today, the right answer is NO!
My answer is a disappointment to some, a relief to others, but at the end of the day it is not only the right answer for me, it is the correct answer. I admire those who have already said they would seek the Democrats recommendation to the commission. Two of them are personal friends and I wish both of them well through the process and trust they’ve considered the position as seriously as I did.
My decision at this time doesn’t rule out a run in the future. If the freeholders are successful and the voters adopt a new charter, it may present opportunities that would better suit me at the time.
For now, the best option for me is to continue to lead our efforts at telling the stories of the business community of Southwest Washington, and influencing the policy decisions for the region from these pages.
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