Election wrap-up

Thank you so very much! Yep, we lost, but only by .8 percent of the votes cast. Unseating incumbents is extremely difficult and we came pretty close. We proved once again, if proof is needed, that under current campaign finance laws the race is almost invariably won at the bank, not in debate.

Holly Jones and K. Ray Bailey, who both finished ahead of incumbents Peterson and Stanley, both out-spent our campaign by approximately 2.5/1 (final numbers won’t be reported for several weeks.)

16,440 people voted for this grassroots candidate in his first try for elected office. To take the financial analysis one step further, it appears that Holly’s votes cost her about $1 each, Bailey’s about $1.30 each, and mine about 60 cents each. That’s the difference between a media campaign and a grassroots effort. That’s what your feet on the ground, your talking and leafletting, your requests for yard signs and your contributions made happen. (And by this I mean to take nothing from the two winners.)

Let’s all push for local campaign finance reform to make voter-owned elections a reality in Buncombe and Asheville in the near future.

If you have an Obama sign, I suggest you keep it for the fall campaign. If you have a Bothwell sign, it will be picked up by whomever delivered it, or you can return it to 54 Fulton Street, in Asheville. E-mail me if you need directions.

I’m asking my volunteers to collect the signs they planted and any strays you spot. Also, please help Holly and Keith by collecting their signs and returning them to me. I’ll get them back to the other campaigns.

Again, thanks so much for the outpouring of support, the kind words, the great ideas and the funds. I am honored to have represented you and your hopes for Buncombe in this race and look forward to working for our common goals in the future.

-Cecil Bothwell