What are people talking about these days?

I've started walking the neighborhood and talking to people, and what I'm hearing is really interesting. One thing that I'm getting is a question about what party I'm with. And the answer is- none of them.

What? Don't you have to belong to a party to run for office?

No. You don't. As a matter of fact, St. Paul city council races are officially non-partisan, though one party usually endorses a candidate for each race.

That's not the case this year. The donkey party didn't choose any one of the many candidates, so we're all in the same boat. We're all walking the sidewalks of our city, trying to get your vote.

And I'm good with that. I'm frankly glad to be an independent, as I don't think that either of the major parties has a monopoly on the truth. I've been a loyal voter of the donkey party for my whole adult life, but am seeing the damage done by the fiscal policies of the donkeys in our city, and the endless rise in taxes that seem to follow. I'd also like to see effective policing- but am not getting it from the party of defunding.

At the same time, I'm not on board with many of the social issues that the elephant party embraces, and don't want to put that stamp on my name. I'd rather be a true independent.

So, I'm walking, sometimes by myself, sometimes with Gita or a friend- flyering your doors, talking to people, one on one, to convince you that I ought to represent you in the city council chambers. It's a big responsibility, but one I'd be glad to take on. I can talk more about that next time.