The results are in... and I am not! On the school board, that is. My "concession speech" (complete with vote tables, courtesy of KJAM!) is available on my campaign website. Short form: thanks for the 448 votes!
One correspondent e-mailed asking about the results. "Popping corks yet?" he asked. Alas, no... but just like last time, I won't be crying in any beer. I plan to sleep quite soundly tonight... maybe even an extra half-hour! Then tomorrow morning, more blogging! Until then, your local punditry on the election results is welcome here in the comment section. See you at breakfast!
Thank you Cory for running. Your willingness to discuss the issues with opinion, facts, and direction has no equal. This community and school district is better off now and tomorrow because you make a point to care and be involved. Congratulations to Shawn also. He will make an excellent board member. Asking the tough questions, offering tough opinion, and seeking the right direction with the resources we have will be part of his method of operation, I believe. My advice to Shawn-Don't forget what got you elected.
You lost in a close race with low turnout. I for one am interested to learn where each candidate was strongest. Did anyone do better in rural areas verses urban areas? Did any candidate do better in the "high end" areas, did anyone excel in the "low end" parts of town?
Elections with extreme low turnout are ripe for takeover by small dedicated groups with an agenda. A bunch of creationists could have easily won this one and initiated efforts to institute school prayer and eliminate the teaching of evolution in science classes. It has happened elsewhere we need to guard against here.
In your speech, whether you were elected or not, you said you wanted to create a conversation. You were successful. It is very difficult to justify any type of campaign for school board since it only pays $35 a month, so just a couple of newspaper ads and a few yard signs could deplete a year's salary. You could parlay your momentum into a state house run...
I'm very glad that a mother was elected onto the school board. Shawn seems to have an open mind with some very interesting ideas. These two will have tough decisions to make as even more dramatic cuts come in the future for education.
Cory, you could always run for county commission. I hear they pay better than school board.
Nick, I won the rural district by two votes, 130-128 over Thompson. I am country! :-) She was first in the town wards. I beat Miller for second in Ward 3, the southern part of town where there's the least money. Wards 1 and 2 both went in the order of the overall results.
"a mother," Michael? Is that a sexist comment? ;-)
Cory, we need more representation from our ladies in government. There was nothing sexist about that comment.
Cory, I believe you lost because you were too animated and talked too fast. It was not your message. Voters could identify with your points, but your intensity may have been too much for them.
Actually, Michael, it sounds like you're saying we should vote for certain people just because they are women... which means voting against some others just because they are men. What are the non-sexist criteria by which you justify that statement?
And if folks can't handle intensity, I'll never win. :-)
Cory lost because the fine folks of Madison are afraid of someone who is willing to look outside of the box and express opinions that may be uncomfortable for some. We needed his passion, opinions, and ability to generate conversation. I am afraid we will soon slip back to the status quo. That will not solve the problems facing the schools today.
I am glad that we elected concerned parents on the school board. Is that better?
Voting for someone does not always mean that you are voting against someone else.
Yeah, passionate intensity gets me in trouble, too. It seems a lot of people like their elected officials to make them feel comfortable--keep the status quo and all. I mean, you might actually ask people to think or participate in the process! That's scary!
I'm sorry you didn't get in--but I'm glad you entered the race wanting to start a conversation. That's democracy!