I can’t thank you enough for your attention to my re-election campaign this year. As disappointing as it was to be thrown off the ballot, I know that the campaign was not in vain. Nor were the four years in office. My reforms would not have been possible without support from people like you.
So many Philadelphians give in to the corruption that permeates our local government and our local politics. Some give in out of fear, some out of a feeling of helplessness, and some out of the belief that the only way to do good is to play along. We showed that giving in is not necessary. Even in defeat our campaign forced other candidates to run on the platform we championed: accessibility, transparency, engagement and modernization. Issues we raised are still on the table: an open process for choosing new voting machines for Philadelphia and hiring a non-partisan, management-trained director for the Board of Elections.
During the remainder of my term (which ends in early January, 2016) I will continue my work for the people of Philadelphia, holding my colleagues accountable for their nepotism and corrupt hiring practices while working to inform and engage the public. I am not giving up on my mission. Moving forward, there are various opportunities to put my political and technical skills to work in the service of defending democracy.
Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to represent you and your values during my term in office and during this election season.
“I got half-a-dozen paintings from that shattered plate.“
– attributed to Georgia O’Keefe
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