I’m writing this on the last evening of the Democratic National Convention. Probably — I’m not watching TV and not keeping track of time zones — even as I’m writing this, Barack Obama is giving his speech to the DNC delegates.
And that is fabulous, but tonight, I’m thinking about politics back home.
Because I’ve spent the past week-ish contacting six Democratic candidates for the state House and Senate. I’ve played email tag; I’ve played phone tag. I wrote up two interviews — for Tucson area Senate candidate David Bradley and for Phoenix area House candidate Matthew Cerra — and am trying to work out the timelines for more.
Here’s the thing: None of these candidates — to-be-interviewed or already interviewed — is seeking to represent my local legislative district. And yet, their elections matter to me.
Because as a woman, I cannot afford even one more legislator who votes against the interests of women.
Because as a queer woman, I cannot afford even one more legislator who votes against the interests of LGBTQ people.
Because as a teacher, I cannot afford even one more legislator who votes against the interests of education. (People — schools or prisons: YOU MUST FUND ONE.)
Because as a teacher in a high-minority, low-SES district, I cannot afford even one more legislator who votes against the interests of poor people or of minority ethnic groups.
Because as someone committed to as much social justice as I can manage (and I’m way not perfect on this, at all), I cannot afford even one more legislator who is committed to the opposite.
And really — who can?