It’s federal, state, and county campaign season once again! I’ve been asked by several candidates for my endorsement, but (while I do follow what happens at those levels) I’m firmly committed as mayor to being only in the “Cedar Falls Party”. I’m purposely not registered with a political party, and am willing to work closely with any elected official for the best interests of Cedar Falls. Even if privately I support their positions and respect their integrity and character, it's vital to me that I remain in a position to be the "Mayor of all the people". I simply couldn't do that if I endorsed candidates (or even just attended a rally or donated money as an interested citizen).
Officially, local government races are non-partisan, and I think it’s dangerous and unhelpful for municipal officials to align themselves with (and campaign as a candidate for) one party or another. I do have concerns about federal and state partisan rancor seeping into local elections, and saw it starting to happen in the last mayor’s race. Local government is the final bastion of civility where we can really come together as neighbors, not as tribal political factions.
Fortunately, nearly all of the issues that affect municipal government don’t neatly map into platform items that would appeal just to members of one political party. As the saying goes, “Potholes don’t care if you’re a Democrat or a Republican”. That’s why I really enjoy local government service and would hate if Cedar Falls City Hall just became yet another partisan battleground.
I truly hope that all the various candidates for Congress, the Senate, County Supervisor, State House, etc. appreciate my political neutrality, as well as my willingness to meet with ANY of them anytime to explain what I believe matters for the future of Cedar Falls. I also hope that Cedar Falls residents appreciate and respect that neutrality, in the best interests of our city.
Thank your for reading this, and for doing the hard work to be an informed and engaged citizen -- and do take time to vote!