And the fun begins

I filed my paperwork with the TN Ethics and Campaign Finance Office which (I think) is the last official step to running. I have a PO Box, a bank account and am working on a domain for website and email address. I need to get access to VoteBuilder – the Democratic National Database of registered voters. I think I found a web platform that will be webpage, manage donations, volunteers, etc. I want to review this with James this afternoon.

People say you can run a campaign for less than $1000 using Social Media and that may be true for some elections but I don’t think it makes sense for a state level campaign where I am basically an unknown. I have a pretty good handle on the “mechanics” of a campaign.

I need to start writing down what I am going to communicate to the residents of Robertson County (District 66 for the TN House of Representatives).

Robertson County is a farming county, 25 miles north of Nashville. The city itself is 10 miles from freeway access. The southern and eastern parts of the county, near freeways are being developed as affordable housing for Nashville. The public schools here have been significantly harmed by voucher programs. The farmers are suffering with the tariffs.

So I thought I would free associate here a bit and get feedback from you if you are willing.

Who am I:

I am an angry frightened grandmother. I have 2 (step)grandsons in the military. One is in Marines and one in Air Force. So far they are not in harms way. A grandchild, due in August will be raised in TN, where the Republican supermajority wants to make abortion capital murder for woman and healthcare professionals. They want to make mRNA technology bioterrorism, remove fluoride from the water. They are in the process of creating a Secret Police in TN reporting to the Gov who reports to Stephen Miller.

I am the daughter of a farmer and public school teacher.

I am a retired surgeon and researcher with experience in private practice, academic medicine, pharmaceutical industry and National Institutes of Health. (My opponent, is a retired surgeon).

I am the ex-wife and fiancé of Vietnam War veterans and I know the long-term toll of sending young men off to fight for our country and what we owe them in return.

I am a feminist.

Why I running

The Republican supermajority is not healthy for this TN citizens. In a 2 party system, solutions need to come with both parties working together. There needs to be a progressive candidate running against the incumbent Republican. I am willing to be the opposition. Aside from being a recent transplant to Robertson County, my life experiences make me an excellent candidate to run on the Democratic ticket for District 66.

What are my Traits?

I am curious which is important to learning about Robertson County.

I am caring.

I am a change agent. I have a track record of bringing people together from different backgrounds (scientific) to work on a shared vision.

I am authentic

I make decisions based on information and my value system and I don’t get blown off course by pervailing winds. I can change my mind based on new, credible information.

Issues that I will not be campaigning on

There are hot button issues here that I will not be “campaigning on” but will certainly address as needed. These are things that fall into the category of Personal decisions (they do not directly impinge on anyone else’s health or safety): a woman’s right to make decisions about reproduction. Who people choose to love. How an individual wants to present themselves as (gender identity). A decision to gender transition prior to 18 is the responsibility of the child, the parents and health care professionals.

Issues I will be campaigning on (initial thinking). I am more used to thinking of things at a national level and need to adjust to state and county level:

Strengthening public education

Farm land preservation

Making living in Robertson County affordable (no grocery tax)

Healthcare for all (single Risk Pool – you can have more than one payer as long as all payers are assuming equal risk and everyone is required to have health care). Companies should not be able to profit from delivery of healthcare services. Incentives are upside down. In reality we have a Disease care system not a Health care system.

Thanks for reading and giving me feedback if you choose.

More to come.