Why Seek an Endorsement?
It’s about the people behind the endorsement.
The Firefighters are an essential group of people that serve our community and keep us safe. The Teamsters represent people who work specifically for the City. Decisions that are made on council can literally impact their livelihoods.
Will they have their jobs if there’s another economic downturn? Who can they tell their stories about an inability to hire and retain folks within an essential department because they can’t find affordable housing?
An endorsement tells them, and other community members – I hear you, I see you, I get it. I want to listen to you and find out how best we can help you be successful both as a City employee, and as a community member.
It’s about what the group giving the endorsement represents.
Sierra Club & Washington Conservation Voters are focused on protecting our environment – something that’s important to me and a high priority for a lot of the people I’ve talked to.
The Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund wants to see people in safe, healthy, and affordable homes – another high priority for residents, and a personal passion of mine. .
Residents can look at this and immediately find common ground here. Maybe they belong to Sierra Club or WA Conservation Voters themselves!
It’s about connecting with people who know things that you don’t.
I know that my lights work when I flip them on – and I also admit that the folks in the IBEW know way more about everything electrical than I ever will. If I have questions about upcoming policy that could impact them, I know I can reach out.
The Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is the central labor body for Skagit County (plus Whatcom & San Juan) – they represent people like letter carriers, retired public employees, sheet metal workers, printers, and so much more.
These partnerships are invaluable for getting feedback from people, and this is how finding stakeholder groups within the larger community can work to our advantage. If we want policy for the people, we need to hear from them about it.
It’s about showing up to do the work to get the endorsement.
Endorsement questionnaires can be long. There was one that took three hours to complete – and I’m not one to copy and paste answers to questions.
Then, if you move into the interview stage, you are asked questions in front of a bunch of strangers. It can be a bit intimidating, but it’s also totally worth it.
It prepares you for forums, for doorbelling, for being approached at the grocery store. It’s good practice for what it’s like to be a successful, and accessible, local elected official.
It’s about building a network of people who have been in your shoes.
Erica Pickett, Eric Johnson, and Brad Adams – they’ve all been City Council candidates and members, and they all have given me some sage advice and support with questions I’ve had.
Liz Lovelett – once a City Council Member and now a State Senator – understands how policy is written and implemented in two levels of government & has helped me more tightly grasp those differences.
It has been great having them around as trusted sources of knowledge and wisdom.
It’s really similar to a letter of reference.
Remember when we had to submit those with job applications? You find someone who will say why you’re a good candidate for the position. Someone who will support you, and someone who knows your values.
Those letters could come from a co-worker, a former supervisor or boss, or a fellow board member. Endorsements are a lot like this, but for a six-month interview with thousands of community members.
Endorsements tie in all the points outlined here – I’ve done the work, I’ve made the connections, I share similar views, and I support the people you represent.