"I vote for people I've actually met." – Jeff Sherman 🗳️
There’s a gubernatorial primary coming up in my home state of Wisconsin in August, and I’ve got a personal rule I want to share: I vote for candidates I actually know. Not just know of—but have seen, heard from directly, or had a real interaction with.
I get it. In some elections, that’s tough to do. And I’m not telling you who to vote for—I’m telling you how I decide.
Before I fill in that little bubble next to someone’s name, I want to have looked them in the eye, asked them at least one question, or watched them answer a few in a setting that isn’t totally scripted.
That’s my responsibility as a voter, right? So here’s my invitation between now and the next time you vote: go meet the candidates. At least attempt to. And if, like me, you care deeply about how state and local government work together—on funding, economic development, education, housing, and public safety—use that as your filter.
Ask: Who’s actually done the work? Who understands local government? Who has a realistic plan for growing and strengthening communities? The glossy mailers won’t answer those questions. People will.
On a national level, I get it—it’s harder to meet politicians. But it’s still possible. Politicians are people; you can reach them, ask questions, and have an impact.
Whatever your politics or priorities, I’ll come back to this simple idea: don’t hand your vote to a stranger.
Onward.