With DC in turmoil, let’s focus on Tacoma.
Considering the ever-rising temperature of National Politics,
we need each other now more than ever before.
The recent election has left a lot of us feeling pretty rattled with the government, regardless of which side of the fence you reside. We’d all like to feel that the politicians, who are supposed to be looking out for our best interests, are doing just that. When Special Interests take over, it’s a helpless feeling for everyone involved. With that being said, I feel that our voices need to be heard with the local government and we need to focus on the things that immediately affect our day to day lives. Let’s shift our focus from the national stage to our local government.
When I talk with the people of Tacoma, one thing is clear as day… we are intellectually fatigued. For years now, I have listened to the people who live here complain about the local government. I read the negative comments across social media. Year in and year out, the people of Tacoma are dissatisfied with our local leaders. Then, like clockwork… they re-elect the same people, over and over. Honestly, how can anyone continue to complain about Tacoma’s leadership if they are re-electing them, ad nauseam? We all know the definition of insanity, right? “Doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result”. Things will never change in Tacoma if we continue to vote for more of the same. The status quo!
I ran for Mayor in 2021, with a campaign slogan of Unify Tacoma. I felt then, as I do right now, that we were all so disconnected with each other after what had been a very tumultuous four years at our nation’s capital. Left vs Right had taken over the world and every day, it seemed that the divide between us all was growing wider… Grand Canyon wide. I felt that it was time we all pulled together, broke down the barriers that fueled a boatload of anger and vitriol between us. I wanted to focus the election on repair and replenishment of the good feelings of community. I wanted us all to come together as a unified city. Where we all felt connected as members of Tacoma, not a political party or group affiliation.
To be perfectly honest, there were quite a few people who took liberties with why I chose Unify Tacoma as a slogan. Those who turned it into something other than the intent and wrote their own narratives about what I was trying to do as a candidate. You wouldn’t believe the attacks that sprouted up from assumptions that were so far off, your head would spin. It was very disheartening but I pressed on, still believing that we all needed to come together and heal the wounds of division. I believe that the answers to our happiness lie in each of us, working together for a common goal. A strong community that works with each other to overcome any and all obstacles in our way.
There were those who thought that since I was running as an Independent Candidate, that I was a Republican in disguise. Well, that was never the case. I am actually a Democrat. However, the position of Mayor is a nonpartisan role, as are the positions of Council Members. When a candidate files to run for Mayor or Council Member, there are no boxes to check for Democrat or Republican. They truly are supposed to Serve everyone, though they rarely do. On the national level, I side with Democratic policies. As Mayor, I would be a Mayor for every person living in Tacoma. You will have my ear and my understanding, regardless of whether you are a Democrat or a Republican. Because that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Nonpartisan.
In the spirit of full transparency, I do not align with MAGA in any way, shape or form. Period. Never have, never will. I believe in Our Government, the Rule Of Law and Our Constitution. I fully believe that MAGA will end up on the wrong side of history and I want no part of that movement.
Now, here we are on the heels of yet even more division and a most uncertain future as a nation. There are times in the last few months that we have felt helpless with what lies ahead, as a country. I feel that the best thing we can do is take hold of our immediate future at the local level. My focus is on Tacoma. Breaking down the barriers that divide this city and showing the world that there is a way out of the turmoil. That is going to start with each and every one of us. We need to look at each other differently than we may have in the past. We are all neighbors. We have all chosen Tacoma as our Home and where we want to build a life, raise families, plant our roots.
My hope is that when we look at each other, we see more than just another individual, muddling their way through life. I want us to look at each other with a certain kinship in mind. With the blood of Tacoma coursing through our veins. We should never feel divided by the things that make us all different from one another. Race, religion, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, gender, pronoun preference, sexual orientation, Ford or Chevy, Pepsi or Coke, NHL or NBA or NFL or NCAA, WAZZU or U-DUB… none of that should be any reason for us not to get along. All of that should be celebrated as what makes us different and unique and interesting and fascinating! You be you and I’ll be me and we will learn from each other another perspective on life.
I know, I know… life is not all puppy dogs and ice cream. My pie in the sky attitude is not going to change the fact that the world can be a harsh and unforgiving, relentless grind. I get that. I’ve lived that life as well. Nothing is perfect and my ideas for what I believe Tacoma can be may never come to fruition.
BUT… what if it IS attainable? Are you ever going to find out by sitting on the sidelines and doing nothing? Chances are… nothing will change if we do nothing. If we just accept the status quo. If we don’t take a chance to make a change.
What we CAN do is take action. We can VOTE for what could be. We can change our attitude and get off the sidelines. We can get involved in Tacoma. Taking action toward a goal is the first step to achieving whatever it is you want in life.
I am running for Mayor of Tacoma to effect positive change. I am running for Mayor to take action in the place that I have called Home for all of my 56 years of existence. I want to be the driving force behind bringing us all closer together for the common goal of realizing Tacoma’s true potential. Making this a city where we are all proud to tell the world where we live and where we call Home. Having the right Mayor in place will set the tone for success. A Mayor needs to really believe in the city and care about its inhabitants… and I DO.
What I am trying to drive home to you is quite clear. Do not settle for mediocrity and the status quo. Keeping the old guard, keeping the career politician… is NOT in the best interest of the people of Tacoma. Getting me elected means that we will all get a fresh start and a brighter future in Tacoma. If that’s not something that interests you, by all means… continue casting your vote for the same group that’s been running this city for decades. Yes… decades. If you want to continue painting the boarded up windows in downtown Tacoma, keep voting for the same Council Members. The same civic leaders who’ve kept us in a holding pattern since the nineties. Continue wasting your all too precious votes.
Because I can assure you of one thing, right now. With the current Mayor being termed out, your other choices for Mayor in 2025 are Council Members who have voted exactly the same way that the Mayor did, on everything, time and time again. Check the vote log on the city of Tacoma’s website. The Mayor and Council Members have voted unanimously, every time. Only voting differently when election time comes around, to elevate their status. Not only does that show their ineffectiveness, it shows that they do not represent their constituents. Voting unanimously does not represent diversity of opinions. It shows that they are in lockstep with each other. Solidarity in stagnation.
Have you seen any change in downtown Tacoma over the last twenty years? Have those changes brought back a once hustling-bustling downtown core? More businesses have shut down in what should be the epicenter of our city. Those boarded up storefronts should have businesses flourishing inside them, not getting tagged with graffiti. Many businesses downtown keep their doors locked until a customer knocks on the glass, so the store owners can regulate whether or not their safety is at risk. Is that what you want for your downtown entrepreneurs? The people who’ve sunk their entire life savings into a dream, working in fear? Is that what you are voting to continue? I know that’s not what you want… and you know it, too.
The time has come to put your vote where your heart is and move Tacoma forward with leadership that is going to roll up their shirtsleeves and get to work on building back this city that we all love. Leadership that believes in Tacoma the way that you do. Leadership that will listen to your concerns and have the tough conversations about what we need to do to revitalize this City of Destiny.
I want to lead that charge. As your Mayor, I want to encourage new leadership to join in, throw their hats in the ring to run for City Council. I want to lead the way to a new way of thinking about Tacoma. I want to inspire new, positive nicknames for our city and lead us away from being called Tacompton. I want to change our reputation away from one of people being afraid to walk the streets at night. That’s not the Tacoma that I grew up in, not at all.
Let’s break the cycle of dysfunction in Tacoma and vote for real, worthwhile, uplifting, positive change.
When you meet me on the street, you will know that I am not looking at you as a Democrat or a Republican, as Left or Right, as gay or straight, as a male or female or otherwise, as black, white, red, brown, purple (or) yellow (see Sugar Hill Gang - Rapper’s Delight for reference). I’m not looking at you as a number or a vote. I am looking at you as someone who loves Tacoma the way that I love Tacoma. I am looking at you as an individual who wants to see Tacoma thrive and become the place that we all know to be incredible. A place with a thriving downtown, a vibrant art and music scene. A city with civic pride, a sense of community, a great place to raise your children, with beautiful sunrises and breathtaking sunsets. With bright blue skies, clean air and love and laughter abounding.
Whether I am elected or not, I will always strive towards Unifying Tacoma and I will always consider it a privilege rather than a job. Getting us all on the same page will be my goal and I would like us to achieve that goal.
Let’s Visualize Tacoma, together. As for the other Washington (DC)… let’s give them something to strive towards.