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Elections

I write a number of posts about elections involving other people. I have run for election many times in my career and I should probably write about that a little for balance.

I have not run for political office, voted for by the electorate at large. Early on in my profession in academia I ran for seats on various committees in my university, and when on those committees I have run for chair.  I have also run for offices in professional societies.

I haven't kept an accurate record but I'd say that my winning rate is about at one out of three. I'm not an extrovert so it takes time for folk to learn what I am capable of doing. This is one of the advantages that I have seen in staying at my university as long as I have---many people know by now what I am capable of.

This has been cumulative. Once I was afforded leadership opportunities they inevitably brought greater recognition. I'd like to think that I do good work but I suspect that I am known rather for doing the work, regardless of good/bad, as many folk who are elected in academia don't put the effort into it.

The other thing that is worthy of note is my persistence. I am willing to fail in public (and that is what it is to lose an election) and try again. Many others are not. I don't know if I have a thick skin; defeats do hurt a good deal. I do know that to do the things that I want to do I need to keep trying and that is what keeps me going.

Some people derogate politicians as if they were all the same. Like all bigotries this is too simple to be true. Their motivations differ, the compromises they are willing to make to achieve their goals differ, their compassion and ambitions are all over the place. My personal experience has caused me to always maintain a little respect for someone willing to run and face loss. Many people don't have the courage.

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