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Ed runs for Congress
A true story*
*may contain some embellishment
A true story*
*may contain some embellishment
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aaron @beec424008:44 AM - May 14, 2023
01:29 AM - May 15, 2023
2/58
The story mostly takes place in 2018, but starts in 2016 – and even then some background is…well not required, but beneficial.
01:30 AM - May 15, 2023
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I grew up, as I've mentioned in a highly politically conservative, highly christian conservative community. For a variety of reasons, I was very much an outsider. Reasons pertinent to the story are that I was not conservative in either way – if not liberal, then at least moderate.
01:30 AM - May 15, 2023
4/58
This community was (and is) perhaps the most conservative community, in the most conservative district in Iowa. Forget about whether alcohol could be purchased on Sunday, there were no businesses open on Sunday at that time.
01:31 AM - May 15, 2023
5/58
There was one bar in town and their only patrons were from the next town over (likewise, their only bar served those from our community who might actually patronize seen in a bar, but never one in their own community).
01:31 AM - May 15, 2023
6/58
It was a community whose college had such strict intervisitation policies that, when I drove a friend from the college I attended to visit her friend there, there was concern over whether I could even be in the hall (after announcing that there was a male on the floor and with the door ajar) or not.
01:31 AM - May 15, 2023
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To be on the safe side we visited in the lounge.
01:32 AM - May 15, 2023
8/58
This was a community that (so I've heard) ran the Democratic Party candidate for Congress out of town in 2010.
Yes, in 2010.
Yes, in 2010.
01:32 AM - May 15, 2023
(Edited)
9/58
Naturally, as a child I was not much interested in politics, and having differing views from my schoolmates and community reinforced that attitude – it didn't do much good to voice an opinion that conflicted with that of anyone and everyone else.
01:32 AM - May 15, 2023
10/58
I developed a distaste for listening to speeches by politicians that at best said nothing substantive, but more likely was a series of stretched truths and false promises. Little did I know back then that this would only get worse and worse.
01:33 AM - May 15, 2023
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At one point, while I was in the high school library (because it was less restrictive there than study hall) I pulled a book off a shelf next to me and found a passage that resonated with me. It referenced George Washington's Farewell Address and spoke of the dangers of party politics.
01:33 AM - May 15, 2023
12/58
I made the decision to remain an Independent voter. That has only changed to participate in caucuses and I try to change back afterward.
01:34 AM - May 15, 2023
13/58
After I graduated and met people with broader views, I found I didn't mind talking about issues as much, but I hated politics and discussing them. And even discussing issues I could only do infrequently and for short periods.
This would later frustrate my wife who grew up on politics.
This would later frustrate my wife who grew up on politics.
01:34 AM - May 15, 2023
14/58
In 2003, my district elected a representative who promised at the time to only serve two terms. (I was so disinterested in politics I had to look up the date and I don't remember really hearing about him until later.) He would go on to serve 9 terms and try for a tenth, but lose in the primary.
01:34 AM - May 15, 2023
15/58
Unfortunately, you may have heard of this congressman. He became known for his outrageous statements. In his last term, his own party censured him for his anti-semitic words and actions by removing him from all committees.
01:35 AM - May 15, 2023
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He earned the ire of a famous author for uttering vile things while having a nearly identical name.
Yes – for 18 years, my congressman was Republican Representative Steve King.
Yes – for 18 years, my congressman was Republican Representative Steve King.
01:35 AM - May 15, 2023
17/58
At this point, I need to explain that while my beliefs are vastly different from those of the community I grew up in, I do believe in an active God who guides us if we listen (even if not in words).
01:36 AM - May 15, 2023
18/58
So in 2016, Steve King had started some of his alarming (and embarrassing for Iowa) behavior and rhetoric and it got worse during his campaign. But representing an R+11 district, even that wasn't yet enough to prevent him from winning re-election.
01:36 AM - May 15, 2023
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During the campaign season that year, I could tell that the Democratic candidate would not succeed – remember it's an R+11 district. I realized the chances of this district electing a Democrat were about as good as snowstorm in May –
01:36 AM - May 15, 2023
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– which here in Iowa means theoretically possible, but nobody in their right mind would place that bet.
01:37 AM - May 15, 2023
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So it occurred to me it would take an Independent candidate. A candidate who could talk about his (or her – but not any other pronoun because…Iowa) faith life, without extreme christo-fascist views. A candidate who could mostly support the 2nd Amendment, but still talk about common sense gun laws.
01:37 AM - May 15, 2023
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A candidate who could assure voters that he would be free from party pressure – because there was no party to pressure him.
01:37 AM - May 15, 2023
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It couldn't be a Republican, because…Steve King.
It couldn't be a Democrat because…R+11.
An Independent could attract the sane, moderate voters and better represent the majority of constituents that fall between the extremes.
It couldn't be a Democrat because…R+11.
An Independent could attract the sane, moderate voters and better represent the majority of constituents that fall between the extremes.
01:38 AM - May 15, 2023
24/58
It then occurred to me that I was describing myself.
But I hated politics.
I hated talking in front of people (well, I guess not when I felt called to do so).
Did I mention I hated politics?
But I hated politics.
I hated talking in front of people (well, I guess not when I felt called to do so).
Did I mention I hated politics?
01:38 AM - May 15, 2023
25/58
Besides, it was too late by then to do anything in that election cycle.
Well, I suppose I could have tried a write-in campaign. But it was rather late, even for that.
Well, I suppose I could have tried a write-in campaign. But it was rather late, even for that.
01:38 AM - May 15, 2023
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Nevertheless, I felt I was supposed to run.
So I promised…God?…myself?…whatever…that if Steve King won I would run next time.
Of course, Steve King won again (remember R+11). I guess I would be running.
So I promised…God?…myself?…whatever…that if Steve King won I would run next time.
Of course, Steve King won again (remember R+11). I guess I would be running.
01:39 AM - May 15, 2023
27/58
I spent the next year (slightly more) trying to talk myself out of it…wondering how I'd gone crazy…trying to psyche myself up…trying to figure out what I was going to say to my wife.
01:39 AM - May 15, 2023
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When I finally told Amy (over a year later), she looked at me, blinked, and said (and this is an exact quote), "But…you hate politics."
I said, "I know, right?! That's how crazy this is."
And we discussed just how crazy it was, but both thought it was something I was supposed to do.
I said, "I know, right?! That's how crazy this is."
And we discussed just how crazy it was, but both thought it was something I was supposed to do.
01:39 AM - May 15, 2023
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So I'd told my wife, but I hadn't fully committed yet.
I told a few friends…asked for prayers.
Amy was excited to talk about it…announce it; I wasn't ready for that. I asked her not to say anything until I was ready.
I told a few friends…asked for prayers.
Amy was excited to talk about it…announce it; I wasn't ready for that. I asked her not to say anything until I was ready.
01:40 AM - May 15, 2023
30/58
I started looking into what I needed to do. I wrote a few letters trying to get help…advice.
One of the people I wrote was Jimmy Carter.
He sent it back to me with this message scrawled across the top:
One of the people I wrote was Jimmy Carter.
He sent it back to me with this message scrawled across the top:
01:40 AM - May 15, 2023
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To Edward, I hope that you will run if you consider yourself to be a worthy candidate – Best wishes, Jimmy Carter
01:41 AM - May 15, 2023
32/58
No advice, but still…that was cool. I've admired Jimmy Carter for quite some time; I consider him the best former president.
01:41 AM - May 15, 2023
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I printed out the petition forms I would need to get the 375 signatures to put me on the ballot. I didn't need promises to vote for me, just agreement that I should be on the ballot.
But I Still I wasn't ready to commit; I let them sit for weeks.
But I Still I wasn't ready to commit; I let them sit for weeks.
01:41 AM - May 15, 2023
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I wasn't completely idle, I made plans for a website. I read a couple books Amy got me, including The Centrist Manifesto. I reconnected with a college buddy who'd recently become a lawyer and talked his ear off with ideas and getting his opinion.
01:42 AM - May 15, 2023
35/58
The paperwork needed to be filed by Saturday August 25. I just found Amy's post from when I finally gave permission to announce; It was dated August 11. I find it hard to believe I jumped in that late, but that must have been the day I made the leap and started collecting signatures.
01:42 AM - May 15, 2023
36/58
I'd spent the day with my mom, sister, and dad, and I'd brought the petition forms just in case. I don't remember why we got together, but we'd ended up at an outdoor festival of some kind. Although it probably wasn't kosher, I made a last minute decision to start trying to get signatures.
01:42 AM - May 15, 2023
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I would start by asking if I could ask a few questions and telling them that at any time they could tell me to get lost. Then I would ask what they thought was the biggest problem on Capitol Hill.
01:43 AM - May 15, 2023
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Many times they went straight to partisanship; often, when they didn't, I could explain why in my opinion whatever they said was a result of partisanship. And usually, they granted the validity of the point even if they may not agree. Most people I talked to signed.
01:43 AM - May 15, 2023
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The whole process solidified in my mind that people wanted a change from partisanship.
01:44 AM - May 15, 2023
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Once I started the process, I gave Amy approval to announce it.
The next day I went to a different outdoor festival and continued in the same manner.
The next day I went to a different outdoor festival and continued in the same manner.
01:44 AM - May 15, 2023
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After that, it was mostly walking a neighborhood in whichever town I selected that day; I even got a few signatures the day I went back to the town where I grew up.
01:44 AM - May 15, 2023
42/58
Signatures filled in quickly, but on the morning of the deadline, I was still about 25 signatures short. Amy and I started early that morning with plans to make a couple stops in neighborhoods along the 3 1/2 hour drive to the state capitol.
01:45 AM - May 15, 2023
43/58
The first town was mostly a bust, but minutes after I left one of the few houses that answered, the man there tried to catch up, calling out to me. Right after I'd left, he'd remembered his two little children had an activity book that asked for a signature from a tall man; I was happy to oblige.
01:45 AM - May 15, 2023
44/58
Time running out and still needing about 20 signatures, I stopped in the largest city (and last still in the district) that lay along the route and started walking a neighborhood.
01:45 AM - May 15, 2023
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I soon found myself on an old market type street, best place for this – plenty of people ready to listen, and nearly no downtime between listeners. Before long, I had 1 extra signature, 40 minutes yet to travel, and an hour to deadline.
01:46 AM - May 15, 2023
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Amy and I walked into the Secretary of State's office with about 15 minutes to spare. They immediately stamped the paperwork to acknowledge it had been received in time, in case they couldn't get it counted before deadline.
01:46 AM - May 15, 2023
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We waited with a few other late arrivals, while the officials counted signatures on the different hopeful's petitions. They did get mine counted before the deadline, but…
01:46 AM - May 15, 2023
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2 signees had listed a phone number in place of an address. An address was needed to ensure every signee was an eligible voter in the district. I wasn't necessarily out; they could call the numbers to try to get an address to verify the signatures.
No guarantees.
No guarantees.
01:47 AM - May 15, 2023
49/58
I was a half hour out of the district, 1 (guaranteed) signature short, and had 8 minutes to deadline.
But…
But…
01:47 AM - May 15, 2023
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Amy had struck up conversation with another group in the office, while I was talking to the official.
When I turned around, 3 people who lived in the district were willing to sign.
Done.
When I turned around, 3 people who lived in the district were willing to sign.
Done.
01:47 AM - May 15, 2023
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I, of course, also signed their petition, although they were trying for a statewide spot rather than district and needed 1,500 signatures.
Although more people from their team made it by deadline, they still remained 200 short.
Although more people from their team made it by deadline, they still remained 200 short.
01:48 AM - May 15, 2023
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I took a couple days to calm down…collect myself, got the website up, started a facebook page, and other minutiae.
I answered whatever questionnaires came my way from various media outlets. But didn't knock anymore doors.
I spent maybe $200 on Facebook ads. That was it other than the website.
I answered whatever questionnaires came my way from various media outlets. But didn't knock anymore doors.
I spent maybe $200 on Facebook ads. That was it other than the website.
01:48 AM - May 15, 2023
53/58
People I knew from other districts across the state contacted me to say they'd seen me on TV.
I told myself I wasn't going to watch the process and would wait until the following morning when results were in – I lied; I stayed up watching.
I told myself I wasn't going to watch the process and would wait until the following morning when results were in – I lied; I stayed up watching.
01:49 AM - May 15, 2023
54/58
In the end, I got 0.6% of the vote, and there were votes in every county; I would say that was pretty darn good under the circumstances, and I take it to mean there is a good portion of people desperate for a change from divisive partisan politics.
And it was enough to impress my lawyer friend.
And it was enough to impress my lawyer friend.
01:50 AM - May 15, 2023
(Edited)
55/58
Yet partisanship has only gotten worse.
01:53 AM - May 15, 2023
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I might have run again in 2020, but they had changed the deadline to April and I didn't find that out until about 2 weeks before.
Yeah, yeah. I know. But April is different than August, I didn't have the same energy, and the pandemic was starting.
Yeah, yeah. I know. But April is different than August, I didn't have the same energy, and the pandemic was starting.
01:54 AM - May 15, 2023
57/58
In 2022, I didn't have the energy no matter how I did it or how much time I had.
I won't rule out another campaign, but I doubt it will be at the federal level.
I won't rule out another campaign, but I doubt it will be at the federal level.
01:54 AM - May 15, 2023
58/58
And that's the story of the time I ran for Congress.
01:55 AM - May 15, 2023
In response to EdwardA(callmeEd)Peterson.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 very cool. Your procrastination was giving me anxiety though, all this waiting till the last minute.
06:40 PM - May 16, 2023
In response to Avery.
Procrastination -- one of my bigger faults.
I didn't think I'd waited as long as I apparently did, but I trust the dated posts.
I didn't think I'd waited as long as I apparently did, but I trust the dated posts.
01:34 AM - May 17, 2023
In response to EdwardA(callmeEd)Peterson.
Yep. Sounds about right for good ol' I-o-way! Interesting story, thanks for sharing it & I hope someone is able to break through there & help return that state to a little more sanity soon. Could be you . . . jes' sayin' . . . 😉
12:10 PM - May 15, 2023
In response to EdwardA(callmeEd)Peterson.
I’m bookmarking this so I can read later. Just wanted to say hey to the new pfp. Almost didn’t recognize you. 👋🏻
08:55 AM - May 15, 2023
