More Story to be Told
Early Voting for MA State Primaries begins TODAY, and that includes the one in my 18th Middlesex District (Lowell's Highlands and Acre neighborhoods). I am asking for your vote, and I'd like to share a little of my Campaign's work with you.
Yesterday The Sun News published an article introducing the three (3) candidates in the race. READ IT. Thank you Melanie Gilbert for taking the time to put that together.
Since I fully understand some details need to be left on the cutting room floor, here is some Behind the Scenes content and statistics that are alluded to in the article.
Part of the reason I am running for State Representative is a longstanding dissatisfaction with the Candidate Choice available to the Constituents of the 18th Middlesex District. As a Registered Architect, I wanted to be a resource to our current incumbent on matters affecting the built environment: Housing, Zoning, Infrastructure, Energy. Whether it was missed meetings in-district, or with his aides on Beacon Hill, none of whom ever followed up on the important matters I came to discuss, it was clear that this situation is untenable. That's why there is a Constituent's Bill of Rights on my website to ensure that when elected, the people know exactly how I will hold myself and the Office accountable.
Voter turnout has declined by 38% since it's highest mark in 2018. Turnout in 2022 was under 10%, and more people effectively voted for "None of the Above" by not voting at all. I did not enjoy voting for my options in 2022, but I believe that Democracy demands a duty of choice. 2 of the 3 candidates from 2022 are back this year, and my goal is all about Increasing Voter Turnout to respectable numbers, and giving Voters "a better, more qualified candidate."
Those thousands of doors knocked, take a look at the Kollar Campaign's map. Each one of those blue dots is a household in the 18th Middlesex District that we've reached out to, at least three times each before the 3 September 2024 Primary. That's 7,063 people! 300% of the number who voted in the 2022 Primary.
Dozens of Community Events attended? Indeed. I started tallying the figure going back to the early days of the Campaign in March, and once I hit 50, simply said that's close enough. I made a Facebook post a few months back about "The Cause, Not the Credit." I'm far more interested in engaging with the community and supporting causes than in seeking praise or recognition for attendance.
A minor point of clarification. We've had one (1) Candidate Forum at The Lowell Highlands Neighborhood Association in June that was non-televised, and two (2) Debates in August. The first on City Life and the second on Inside Lowell. The Third Debate will be the only one with a LIVE audience, and is scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday at the CBA CHOP Dinner (5:30pm-7pm at the Senior Center). It's a FREE meal; join us.
Whether you are a Mail-In Ballot Voter, an Early Voter, or a Primary Day Voter (3 September 2024), I want you to Cast Your Vote with Confidence. Please VOTE.
