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I Lost the Election

 I lost the election. These are words I never thought I'd have to say. 2 years ago, I won the election  - and those were words I'd never thought I'd say.  It's still odd to recognize that I have held an elected office. Even if it is the lowest possible public official.  In 2023 I was asked to run as Democratic Precinct Executive for my voting precinct in Deer Park for the 2024 - 2026 term.  In addition to learning how to spell 'precinct', I met with other candidates and office holders for the Deer Park precincts.  Emily, Dana, and Neil were fantastic.  They explained the responsibilities, we discussed priorities and plans for 2024.  We helped each other submit our applications to be on the primary ballot in May 2024.  Much of this process was out of my comfort zone.  I only made the decision to run after much thought. I ran unopposed for a vacant seat.  After I voted for myself, I was 100% confident, I won the election. 

Throughout 2024 and 2025, I worked with other Precinct Executives in Deer Park to connect voters to our excellent Democratic candidates and increase voter turnout.  We organized and hosted club meetings, we set up meetings with candidates and other community leaders.  We organized canvassing events, we knocked on doors. Deer Park voted blue in the 2024 November election.  I enjoyed getting to know community leaders.  In 2025, we continued our work. 3 of our candidates got elected to local offices.  I felt like I was helping make a difference and that my work was appreciated. 

As we planned for 2026, 3 out of 4 of the sitting Precinct Execs applied to be on the ballot for the May 2026 primary.  We worked on recruiting a fourth candidate.  There are four voting precincts in Deer Park.  Each precinct has their own executive. The Precinct Executive must live in the precinct they represent. Precinct Executives are difficult to recruit. In some precincts, the office is vacant.  Precinct Executive elections are rarely contested.  

This year, the Cincy Precinct Project is running Precinct Executive candidates is several precincts across Hamilton County. I don't know if their candidates have contacted or are working with sitting precinct execs in the precincts they are contesting. When I found out that another candidate was on the ballot for my precinct, I was curious and somewhat annoyed.  My opponent was unknown to me.  She had not been to any of our club meetings, was not in our Facebook group, and was not on our mailing list.  None of the other precincts execs knew her.  We reached out to her with emails, texts, and phone calls and got no response. We wondered why she was interested in being a precinct exec if she had not showed any interest in our activities.

A week before the election, the Hamilton County Democratic Party sent out a post card promoting me for Precinct Executive to Democratic voters in my precinct.  The weekend before the election, a friend and fellow Deer Park precinct exec helped me with canvassing my neighborhood.  We knocked on my opponent's door, but she wasn't home. I looked up the Cincy Precinct Project and she's not on their list of candidates.  I have no idea why she ran or if she campaigned at all.  

I don't mind being replaced by someone with better ideas, more skill, or more energy than I have.  I want the Deer Park Democratic Club to grow in size and influence.  I want all voices to be heard.  I care deeply about this club and it's activities.  I will continue to be a part of the club whether or not I have any official role.  I want to continue to work to elect local, state, and national candidates who care about and are responsive to the people they govern. 

If I had been delinquent in my responsibilities or had caused controversy in my role, I might understand someone wanting to usurp me. I would gladly cede to a better candidate.  

This feels personal, like I have somehow failed


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