Comer for NC House 2010
by Matt | July 28th, 2006 |Is it possible? Would it happen? Does a young, gay guy ever have the chance?
Last night, a good friend and I were talking over AOL Instant Messenger. He is a slightly conservative Republican, although not “conservative” in the sense of radical, right-wing, but more “conservative” as in the sense of the true definition of the word.
At the same time, he is slowly, but surely, learning how to be more tolerant and accepting. He says he has begun to see people as people, instead of people as groups. In doing that, another person’s humanity becomes much clearer and you can start to forget about things upon which you disagree and start to focus on the issues with which both of you think similarly.
That is what my friend and I have been able to do over the past couple of years. Both of us are involved in Student Government at UNCG and although we disagree on a great number of issues, we are able to pull together and focus on those things we agree on. Yeah, we have our disagreements and our usual (amusing) debates, but all works out in the end.
In the course of the online conversation we started talking politics, as usual. Everyone knows about my future ambitions of either running for office myself or working for someone who holds an office. The other, major possibility for my future is working for an LGBT civil rights organization here in North Carolina, in DC or in New York (or where ever life should take me).
We started talking about how possible and feasible it would be for me to try running for office here locally. We talked about a few offices, ranging from City Council, County Commissioner, NC House… all the way up to the US House.
Of course, no one reaches the US House without first serving the public in some other, more minor capacity.
My question is this: How possible would it really be? Would it ever really happen?
I could run, of course, but that doesn’t mean I’d win. What kind of chances does a young, openly gay college student (or person fresh out of college) have when it comes to winning an election? In Greensboro? In Winston-Salem?
Would the public focus more on my age or my sexual orientation? Which one would get more of a response?
Would I be able to balance the public response to my sexual orientation with my more moderate political views? Would I be able to balance the public response to my age with my experience in politics and political thought?
These are all things to consider. My friend seems to think that it could be possible. My age could be balanced with my intellect. My sexual orientation with my popular, moderate views. My friend seems to think I’d be good at raising funds for the campaign, too. If I didn’t win the first time, my name would still be out there and the chances for winning in another election could go up.
These are all nice thoughts… nice dreams. I really can’t run for much right now anyway. I’m not old enough to run for any national office and I need to get a couple more years of college under my belt before trying anything. It might be better to just go ahead and graduate and then do something.
I’m still stuck on the age and sexual orientation thing, though. Those would be two big hurdles to overcome. Maybe another few years years will give Greensboro a little more awareness and education and the sexual orientation part of it all won’t be a problem. The age thing, however, would still be a problem.
But, who knows, maybe the voters want a change. Maybe the “old guard” is worn out and people want something new and fresh. Maybe the People would like to see a young, moderate Democrat, with a campaign full of both Republican and Democratic colleagues and supporters offering new, fresh ideas for government and for change. Maybe it’s time for the younger generations to step up and give a damn about their communities, their states and their nation. Maybe the voters will see the passion of youth. Maybe.
But… oh well. Nice thoughts… nice dreams. Nothing is a reality right now, but I think I might keep dreaming.
12 Responses to “Comer for NC House 2010”
I encourage you to run at the first opportunity. Even if you lose, the level of debate will be heightened, ensuring a more informed electorate and better chosen official.
By Fec Stench on Jul 28, 2006
Very true, Fec. But running too early could dampen my chances of running, and winning, later.
Although you are right. Even if I ran and lost a lot of good, positive and forward-moving discussion and debate would take place. The electorate could be educated on issues surrounding sexual orientation. The electorate could see youth stepping up, maybe changing their stereotypical views of teens and college kids being nothing but trouble.
The first opportunity for NC House is 2008, I believe. I’m still going to be in college then… I don’t graduate until May 2009.
By Matt on Jul 28, 2006
Do you think that a gay person has not already been elected to local government?
By Roch101 on Jul 28, 2006
I know they have. There are gay people in office all over North Carolina. I’m just wondering what the chances of me… young, college student (or fresh college grad), openly gay, known as LGBT activist… would be of running and getting elected.
By Matt on Jul 28, 2006
My brother in law just lost a campain for Gov in SC. My advise is to study what Clinton did right out of school. He kept note cards with names, numbers and addresses of everyone he met. He worked on campaigns. He kept in touch with folks- calling them whenever he was in town.
Guys like Coble treat everyone they meet with respect. (You are probably great about this). They don’t treat VIP’s special- everyone’s special. They have back room, secret allies.
As for a Gay man- you can be elected as long as being gay is not the issue. I’m not referring to an opponent- but to you. Put yourself in the voters’ shoes. Problems with Gay rights Gay marraige is trivial to most people who vote- money, enviroment, jobs are on everyone’s mind.
You can frame gay advocacy in a “little guy” package. Let your opponent say you are gay. Your answer, “So what?” What does have to do with jobs…..
By chip on Jul 28, 2006
correction Guys like Coble don’t have secret allies.
By chip on Jul 28, 2006
Guys like Coble treat everyone they meet with respect. (You are probably great about this). They don’t treat VIP’s special- everyone’s special. They [don’t] have back room, secret allies.
Every person raised in the South and “worth their stock” knows how treat people with respect and courtesy, even if, in reality, you dislike the person.
Treating people with respect, no matter how much you dislike them, I think is one of the best things the South has going for it. Kind of reminds me of the Southern church women with the big hats who will come up to you and say “And how ah yooouuuu doin’ today, honey?” chit-chat for a while and then they go gossip about you and your family. They may not like you, but at least they make you think they do to your face. lol.
By Matt on Jul 28, 2006
just remember Matt, people said JFK would never become President because he was Catholic, but he did! I believe that you can definitely overcome the odds, you have so many people who already support you, and would go to the mat for you anyday, so stay positive!
By Natasha on Jul 28, 2006
you really are a moron! get educated first, which is tough being from a “school” like uncg. plenty of gays have been elected to public ofice……but you are also just out for the glitz and the glamour, like all faggots. You also have too man skeletons in your closet…
By Scab on Aug 3, 2006
Talk about an education, dude! Maybe you should go back to english class and learn how to use complete sentences, learn how to spell and learn how to use proper punctuation and capitalization.
Maybe you should also consult a dictionary, too. A faggot is a bundle of sticks, honey, not a gay man.
By Matt on Aug 3, 2006