Webbready

Several weeks ago, I wrote a post expression my elation that Rachel Cooper had won the Allegheny County Democratic Party endorsement for the District 9 Pittsburgh City Council seat. I did not anticipate that she would be later stricken from the ballot, but over the past weeks I’ve been curious if the campaign for her nomination was still ongoing. As I am not a politically active person, I do not know if Ms. Cooper has officially withdrawn from the race or if she is still attempting to win the Democratic Party nomination.

Not that it matters either way, as I still plan to vote for her as a write-in candidate.

My vote will probably not make a difference, but I’m standing by my principle and my gut feeling on this decision. Very few political candidates actually excite me with their energy and clarity of purpose. Rachel Cooper, in my opinion, exhibits this necessary mixture of passion and direction in abundance.

There are many who believe that Ms. Cooper’s failure to file necessary paperwork was an oversight that proved her unworthiness for both the ballot and the office. However, I am not basing my decision based on the circumstances surrounding the person. After all, my decision not to support Twanda Carlisle for the Democratic nomination does not stem from the allegations and indictments of her and her aides, as I am a believer of the idea that under the law, we are innocent until proven guilty. Instead, I merely believe Ms. Cooper is a better candidate than Ms. Carlisle.

So I urge anyone reading this in District 9:

Write in Rachel Cooper, please.