Mayor 2013?

I want to run for Mayor Cleveland in 2013.

I think I really do. Over winter break I'll look into the process and political implications, asking opinions of my mentors on this monumental task. 

This idea is something I would've balked at a week ago. I have no experience, I'm in college 6 hours away, and I have no funding network. Who would vote for me?

Since this idea has stuck for three days and I'm still not wavering, I think I'm going to pursue it.

I'm not planning on winning. Winning would be great, but only an option I'd pursue and attempt to raise significant funds for if some poll shows 15% of the city would vote for me or something. Or even 5%. haha

I'm doing this for two purposes:

1) Positive name recognition and publicity (something I need to consult with some politician friends about)

2) Attention to my non-partisan platform of concepts. 

If I'm a 21-year-old college student at Cornell on the ballot for mayor of Cleveland, I'm going to get some free media support; maybe even on the national level.

It could be stupid for anyone to "endorse" a minimal-experienced mayoral candidate, so I'll take and seek endorsements as they come. 

ANYWAY, this all relies on my getting on the ballot; which requires something like 5,000 signatures. 

5,000 is A LOT of signatures; so if you'd like to  help sometime in the next two years, please let me know. I'll hook you up with signature sheets for all of your Cleveland resident friends,  as well as a hefty stack of my business cards (referring you to my awesome website, my email address, and my campaign phone number.)

This website is going to be awesome, complete with videos, platforms, freedom for visitors to post comments and suggestions, pictures, and a complete list of odds/ends ideas. 

I have a lot more ideas for the campaign to minimize cost. But these are for my will-be campaign committee. 

I won't be running against any of the other candidates. I'll try my best to avoid corruption by staying Independent. My ideas are heavy on pro-city work, but also will effect how the whole Midwest could approach government. I'm not in it to tear other candidates down; just to promote ideas that make sense and are necessary for the good of the people. 

I think it'd be awesome to have a 21-year-old mayor. And being a young professional, I would be in tune with what's going on, societal trends, and be able to dedicate the majority of my time to making a difference. 

 I'll always be supportive of candidates with good platforms and enthusiasm, like Chris Ronayne. I'm trying not to play the political game. Building bridges, not burning them, is what we need to do in our region. 

Let me know if you want to help/what you can contribute! If not, I'll come a knocking for signatures and vocal support asap.

-Ken