The Campaign Begins -- Why We're Running

Mike Winder (mike.winder@winderfarms.com): As an avid reader of Utah Policy Daily, I was honored to have been asked by LaVarr Webb to participate in the inaugural edition of UPD's "Campaign Journal."  But the flattery soon gave way to feelings like, "You've got to be kidding-why would I publicly state what I am up to for my opponents to see?" and, "Campaigns are busy enough.  Now I have to take time to write each week about it?" 

Yet the chance to be part of a public dialogue about campaigns and elections, an opportunity to share thoughts about the great people and issues of West Valley City, and the discipline this would instill to make sure my own campaign site had weekly content made this a gamble worth taking. ...

Kevin Fayles (Kevin@kevinfayles.com): Shortly after Mayor Nordfelt announced he was not seeking re-election, several people approached me and encouraged me to run for the office. I was flattered, but personally thought they had suffered some kind of temporary brain damage.

But when I jokingly brought up the subject with my wife, she said, "I've been thinking the same thing. I think you should run. You'd make a great mayor." (Now, if you know my wife at all, you know she does not give out unnecessary flattery. She critiqued all my papers while I was in college and I've never seen so much red ink in my life.) The real shocker was when she said she was even willing to spend our own money on it! This, from the woman who never buys anything ...