I've decided not to run for public office in 2023
The draft version of this post started with different words for “I’m sorry”. I am, but interwoven within that simple sentence is a mix of more complicated emotions. Let me tell you where I’m coming from.
I love living in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. I find my job rewarding, my relationships rich, and the causes and organizations I volunteer for and donate to worthy. I try to be the change I’d like to see in the world. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble balancing it all. At times I’ve been barely breathing.
When wrapped in work or personal projects, I get tunnel vision. My health and relationships suffer. I prioritize the final outcome, and surrender the shorter term. It’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to my loved ones or my future self.
I don’t have many regrets. A big one is not spending more time with my grandfather last summer when he was still alive. I cut my trip short: I spent too long in front of my computer working on the campaign, and too little talking and walking with him.
Looking at the opportunities and obligations in front of me in the next six months, I’d have to make a lot of sacrifices and deal a lot of small hurts to people I care about to make the kind of campaign I’d like to run happen.
This year, I don’t have it in me.
This has been difficult to type and difficult to come to terms with. What makes it hard is the many people that have put their faith in me over the last nine months…some much longer. This decision is letting you down, and I am sorry for it.
What did Kendrick Lamar say? “I choose me, I’m sorry”. It’s a good song (I’m not nearly in the same situation as one of the greatest ever…but it still resonates).
I’ve been asked if I’m going to run again just about daily. For a long time, I didn’t have an answer. Here it is.
It’s February, and the deadline for running for public office is months away. I’m telling the world early so that I can get out of the way.
It’s extremely important that the current majority in the Borough Assembly is broken. It’s important enough that I almost disregarded everything I wrote above and ran anyway. From butchering the climate action plan to setting our budget and priorities this spring, these elections have serious consequences.
We need to identify and build up strong candidates and effective strategies, and find a way to win and flip at least one seat on the Borough Assembly. The school Board also needs a seat (or two!) to flip. It’s going to take a lot of work and coordination.
The previous paragraphs have been an awful sales pitch, but we are looking for candidates to run this year. There are plenty of positives, and I really enjoyed my first run. If you have any interest, please let me know.
If you’re looking to help get progressive candidates elected (you should be!) in any capacity next year, the Interior Dems are having a visioning session this Saturday, February 25, from noon to three.
Other progressive groups are taking steps towards building campaign infrastructure, too. More info on that coming soon.
This space will continue to grow, and I hope to return to politics again in the future. In the meantime, I’ll do everything I can to help the next group of local, progressive candidates win in 2023.
Thank you, friends. I hope you and yours are well.
Sincerely,
Kuba Grzeda