Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Barbara; Council District 3

I Am A True Independent

The reasons why people register as independents, no-party-preference and decline-to-state are varied. It might help to explore them.

Some independents re-registered as no-party-preference because they are angry with their party. They want the party to realize their vote is no longer 'bankable' by virtue of party registration. The party will now have to earn their vote, hopefully by taking better actions. This is a protest independent.

Some independents are truly disenfranchised voters. They are disgusted with partisan politics, and politics in general.

The third type of independent is engaged, active, and knows how to work with both sides to get things done. They are true non-partisans, though they may lean liberal or conservative. They prioritize effectiveness over ideology, though. They truly want to solve problems and move things forward.

I am that last type of Independent. For me, it's all about working together to get things done that benefit our community. We should be free to pull from the best ideas for the highest common public good, and not be hampered by party loyalty in doing so. We should not advance the cause of a party over that of the public good.

In city matters especially, non-partisanship should be prized. Potholes don't have a party, and neither do stop signs, bus stops, fires, or parks.

Democracy Requires Patience and Open-Mindedness

Democracy can be a messy process - we just won't all agree on everything all the time. It's not a reasonable expectation. However, I firmly believe democracy is the best system available to us. The more of us that actively participate, that care, and are engaged, the more likely it is that whatever outcome we arrive at, it will be of greater benefit to all. Increased participation may lengthen the process of decision-making, and be contentious at times, but it is ultimately still the best form of self-government.

I Will Serve As A Representative For Our District And Our City

Santa Barbarans care about our city, and we care about what our government does. We participate, and sometimes we care so much that we agitate! It comes from a place of feeling collectively that our city matters a great deal to us. So we should expect our citizens to want to weigh in, and welcome their thoughts and ideas on any action we may be contemplating. As councilmembers, we represent our districts, but we also must manage our city overall. We will still vote as a council on any actions to be taken citywide. It will be very important for me as a councilmember to advocate for my district, and to ensure our needs are served, but to also be a faithful and responsible steward of our city overall.