I quit my day job on June 15, 2015 because I wanted to be ready to run for either the State Senate or State House of Representatives, something I’d been preparing for since 2009.
I had no *inside* information that either of these seats would be opening up, but I had a *feeling* they would, soon.
Not knowing exactly when either of the elections would happen, I spent my days pursuing my interests in natural dyeing and botanical printing, knitting, and sewing.
I marked time by working on a certificate in Project Management and taught a course on social media at my local community college.
Then, nearly two full years later(April 2017), local media reported that my state senator had died (not a complete surprise, he’d been forthcoming about a brain tumor and had been visibly ailing since August 2016).
Following his funeral service, Senate President Stan Rosenberg set the date for a Special Election for June 27, three months later.
I ran, as a lifelong progressive Democrat, along with two other Dems.
People who neither loved nor cared about me called me *a spoiler* (and other names!) and said I wasn’t qualified.
I ignored them.
I gathered nomination signatures to qualify for the ballot, filed with the Secretary of State’s Office, and the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
I built a campaign team, fundraised, and printed brochures, pins, and stickers.
I knocked doors and scheduled numerous neighborhood coffees at local cafes to listen to and talk with voters.
Supporters were proud to host me at neighborhood coffees in their homes.
I answered all the activist questionnaires and participated in all of the district *meet-the-candidate* forums.
I mailed out “about me” info and people hosted lawn signs and held signs in their Town Centers in support of my candidacy.
I’d done all the things and when the Special Primary Election ballots were counted in June, I’d fallen far short.
Five months later, my State Rep announced his *retirement* (meaning that he wouldn’t run to seek another term after twelve winning elections and 24 years in the seat…) and the whole process began again, only this time, I ran with four other Democrats and for 10 months of hard campaigning before the Regular Primary Election in September 2018.
I loved knocking doors and listening to voters about the issues they cared most about!
And, when the polls had closed and the ballots had all been counted, I’d once again fallen short.
And it’s evidence for me: I know I can do hard things.
After the failed elections, I visited with my siblings and other friends and family. Then, I decided to take a long drive from Massachusetts over to Colorado to bring some requested items to our son there and, while at it, to visit with more family and friends along the way.
That was in April and May of 2019.
It’s super hard to be rejected by your community, and it took a while for me to put it behind me.
I’d been the most progressive candidate in the race.
I had the most endorsements and the most progressive endorsements.
I’d come in third and it wasn’t even close.
When all was said and done, and I’d taken a few road trips to visit friends and family to clear my mind and recenter my efforts, I came back to advocate for the environment in the State Legislature as my chief area of energy and interest.
It’s what motivates my work at Fresh Cercle.
As an artist and re/fashion designer, I make fresh creations, with natural dyes, mends, and re/makes, for beauty and joy and to reduce our impact in landfills and on the environment.
I’ve been invited to speak to several groups about our (growing) textile waste problem and what to do about it
My primary reason for posting this is to say that no good work is ever wasted!
I continue to listen to people about their concerns: for the environment, our planet, the sustainability of their wardrobes.
I continue to advocate to our elected leaders about the importance of funding what we value and bringing forward the policies we need to reduce textile waste, reduce consumption, and capture carbon from the air and sequester it in the soil.
Onward!
* Prompted to write, following my previous post (Overcoming Fear).
Mary Ann Stewart 