Day 140: The Cost of Democracy
Donations are the lifeblood of every political campaign. Without adequate funding, no candidate gets very far and the cost to win public office is often greater than what the position pays. From the outset of my campaign for mayor of Savannah, those who had run before told me that optimally I would need $200,000 to win a job that pays $47,000 a year for four years. Pity the poor candidate who runs on principle without principal.
The entrenched incumbent is backed by big money. Edna Jackson held one fundraiser and in a single night collected all the funds she needs to run her race. Check out a list of her contributors and connect the dots, tell me who really runs this city.
My campaign thrives on small donations from individuals, not corporations who win contracts with the city. To date, no single donation to my campaign has been in excess of $500, and I've only received one of those. The fact that I have received donations from people I've known since high school is especially gratifying. Even better is the confidence placed in me by people that I've encountered only through social media and who have responded to my agenda, not my personality or past friendship.
That said, I will also confide that I have been offered substantial sums-- one of which was a "loan" of six figures-- from sources that would create the kind of conflict that I seek to eradicate. I do not front for any organization, corporation or industry. I am nobody's errand boy. I'm happy to share my list of contributors, but will advise you in advance that there are no "names" among them.
I'd rather have $5 from a voter who will put my sign in their yard than $500 from a company who expects a favor from me when I'm mayor. Elsewhere on this site you will find a feature where you can support my campaign with the click of a button. Every donation receives a hand written thank-you note from me, regardless of its size. Every donation counts.
Every donation is appreciated. I don't need much, but I could use a little more help right about now.