As of today I’ve volunteered for Drake Warren’s campaign for Cook County Commissioner of District 10 for twenty hours. That’s six shifts, and six wildly different weather patterns that day-to-day and hour-to-hour.
In such a short time I’ve talked to so many Chicagoans. Chicagoans who are voting for Drake, might vote for Drake, and people who can’t or won’t vote. It’s been fun, eye opening, and challenging to try and find ways to connect with so many different people as they walk to or from the grocery store or gym. I did poll greeting at Truman College several times and it’s pretty easy to pick on people’s habits and figure out which people are headed to cosmetology, to Aldi, or to vote. (I live in a different neighborhood with a different set of destinations and patterns.)
I’m supporting Drake because he wants to do the job full time, depends on transit and understands the link between the Board of Commissioners and the CTA, rents his home and, like most renters, has experienced the painful rent increases driven by our housing shortage firsthand. Plus he has clear policy priorities and plans for the future of the office and the Board. I also support his candidacy because his vision for housing affordability is authentic and realistic. He and I are, after all, members of Abundant Housing Illinois alongside whom we’ve spent a lot of time demanding that electeds allow for more housing options to lessen the devastating impacts of a housing shortage — displacement, homelessness, and low quality home environments.
I haven’t encountered someone who was going to vote for the incumbent, Bridget Gainer, and I wish I could say my sample size is a reliable indicator of what the results will be on Tuesday. But I’m not taking any chances. After I publish this, I’m planning to get back out there for eight more hours on March 17, Election Day.
People have noticed Drake’s dedication. They’ve seen him at Broadway Armory daily as they commute past him. They’ve appreciated hearing his policy to stop vacant land tax breaks as he stands in the January cold outside their door. And remarked how well he communicates his proposals about the issues Cook County is required to tackle and how it can do better – in person and in various interviews. The juxtaposition between Drake’s and the incumbent’s campaigns has been conspicuous to many folks. This was the case before the news came out showing Gainer had the second worst attendance record for board and committee meetings. Based on some of my conversations during greeting I think that has caused some voters to seek an alternative.
I’ve asked many of my friends to join me at the early voting locations (a few have heeded the call), or watch and repost one of his videos, or simply read the engaging interview with him in Windy City Times. It was amusing to get a couple of texts from people saying, “I saw your friend when I dropped off my ballot at Broadway Armory.” Drake has been greeting people at that early voting location for two weeks.
A community of advocates for more housing, clean energy, and safe transportation has sprung up to support Drake. I feel invigorated being part of this local movement to elect someone who can meet the moment and better represent my friends and other district residents (including my sister and mother).
I’ll be out there tomorrow, on Election Day.
Please vote or drop off your ballot at a secure drop box!