Keeping the Focus on St. Helena, Not Politics

From the start of my campaign for St. Helena City Council, I’ve made it a priority to focus on the real issues that directly affect our town and its future. To keep this campaign grounded in those priorities, I’ve capped donations from any individual at $250 and pledged to donate any remaining campaign funds to Rianda House, rather than keeping the remainder for future campaigns. This decision reflects my commitment to a community-centered campaign—free from the influence of large donations or political ambitions.

Along the way, I’ve received many questions and plenty of advice to include an endorsements page on my website.  But I’ve resisted this, and now as other candidates have started racking up endorsements from the NVD to various town luminaries, I want to share here exactly why I am not following suit. I believe endorsements from notable figures or political organizations often pull focus away from the issues and toward personalities or outside agendas. My campaign isn’t about who endorses me—it’s about what I can do for the families of St. Helena.

One recent experience highlights my commitment to keeping this campaign free from external pressures. Pre-campaign, a well-regarded & highly placed individual offered me an endorsement, but it came with the expectation that I support the city’s proposed transfer tax. Initially, I was open to the idea as I was tepidly supportive of the transfer tax.  However, after taking a deep dive into the specifics of the proposal, I realized it wasn’t the right solution for our town. Once all the facts came into focus, I wrote a blog post addressing it from my perspective, fully aware that this would likely disappoint the city dignitary and cost me their endorsement.

But here’s the thing: I will never be owned. I will never support a policy I don’t believe is right for St. Helena, no matter the endorsement that is on the line.

That’s why I’ve chosen not to feature an endorsements page or solicit endorsements from political luminaries. Accepting endorsements tied to conditions or placing too much emphasis on who supports me shifts the focus away from solving the real problems facing our community. Similarly, large campaign donations—especially without caps—open the door to unintended influence, which can shape policy in ways that don’t always serve the best interests of our residents. I want to ensure that every decision I make is based solely on what’s best for St. Helena. While I do not solicit endorsements, I do gladly accept peoples support and am very grateful to so many who have and continue to support my campaign.

I’m committed to finding sustainable solutions for our city’s financial health, ensuring we address our water security, and addressing the growing challenges of housing and development. These are the issues that matter, and my campaign will always be about serving the people of St. Helena—not chasing endorsements or campaign dollars.

Together, we can build a stronger future for our town by staying focused on what really matters: our community and its needs. Let’s keep this campaign about the issues that affect St. Helena families, and not about political favors or outside influences.

Thank You

November 15, 2024, 6:00 – 9:00 PM|St. Helena

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