With many regrets
After some very careful consideration, and a long discussion with Nicole, I have made the terribly difficult decision to request to the election commission that my name be withdrawn as a write-in candidate for the District 2A County Commission seat in the May 2nd Primary. Nicole will be the first to tell you that when I made this decision I had a good cry over it. I am not by inclination a quitter, but I decided to end my participation in this election because I believe very strongly that a good County Commissioner, indeed a good public servant, must be willing to give all of himself to the interests of his constituents during his time in office.After discussing at length our present family situation with my wife it has occurred to me that between the two of us, at least one of our hearts will be elsewhere in the next four years. In addition to this, I have serious reservations about continuing to run for office at this time, when I do not yet own any property. I’m known to be pretty old fashioned and I happen to believe that property owners should hold the biggest stake in our political system because they have more at stake. I have always believed this. My wife and I agree that sometime in the next four years, which would be my term in office, we’d like to buy a home and use that home as a place from which to begin our own business operation. I do not believe we can do this comfortably within the confines of the 2nd district. That’s not to say that I would not have been willing to serve a full four-year term on the Knox County Commission representing the interests of my constituents in the 2nd district. I do not believe that I could do it effectively when the interests of my family may lie elsewhere. This would be a disservice to the people of the 2nd district and to the people of Knox County who only deserve the very best representatives that they can possibly have.
I am not exiting the race because I lack the will or ability to campaign. On the contrary, my belly is full of fire and my spirit is very willing. However, I believe very strongly that it would be selfish of me to continue to campaign for this seat, knowing that someone else may better be able to put their whole heart into serving the people of this district at this time. I am not leaving the race because of lack of money. Campaigning over the last week has shown me that I had a legitimate chance to win the primary. I believe that had I continued to campaign at my current pace, that I would have done so.I believe however, that the best interests of Knox County and our great party are best served by defeating Mark Harmon in August in a massive landslide. I want our district Republican convention to nominate a good conservative man or woman who can accomplish this great task. I will stand firmly behind that person.
One of the reasons my heart aches at having made this decision is the overwhelming show of support I have received from certain public officials, other candidates, and members of the community. I was gratified in my heart that so many people were so supportive of our efforts to be elected to the County Commission. I sincerely pray that these persons aren’t too angry over my sudden decision to withdraw. They can take confidence that this decision was not made lightly and was not my first choice, but was the best one. I especially want to thank State Representative Stacey Campfield for his overwhelming expression of love and support for me personally and for my candidacy. I also want to thank David Lee for his generous offer of assistance as well as Jim Cortese for his personal and professional support. I owe a debt of gratitude to every one of these men and many more who have expressed their support for what we believe and are trying to accomplish in the Republican Party.
Finally, I want to say thank you to the people of the 2nd district. I have met many of you over the last week. You’ve been exceedingly kind to me. I believe you deserve the very best representative that can be elected for you and that is why I believe that now is not the time for me to continue in the race. I can promise everyone this: this will not be the last you hear from me, nor will it be my only attempt at public office. I will run for office again, that much I can promise you. I owe it to the people however, to do that in the right place and at the right time. Thank you all so much for your support. You are in my personal prayers. God bless Knox County, God bless the State of Tennessee, and God bless America.
posted by Deacon David Oatney @ 8:48 PM
6 Comments:
Mr. Oatney,
Sorry to see you go. Oh well ... you need to take the donation button off your blog. That, or change it to a generic kind'a "Donate to David for the fun of it."
Regardless, sorry to see you go. Keep your knees loose!
SteveMule
Yes, the button will come off here directly.
Steve, what's your problem? Dave isn't out of the race 30 minutes, and you're already on him about his donation button? Seriously, you need to find time to do something other than be a jerk.
Chucko,
No problem here and no intent to be a jerk. Just didn't him to forget. I didn't even notice it until my roomie mentioned it and wondered why it was still there. It's the kind of thing that is easy to forget.
Don't be so touchy, David can take care of himself.
SteveMule
I am sorry to read this post . Thank you for your kind words but I want you to know that I supported you because I think you would be a great rep for the people.I am sure at some later date you will have a good future in politics but for now I am glad you have your priorities straight.
Oatney,
Hey! SO sorry you aren't running, but you seem like such a great guy for stepping out of it.
All the best,
Nancy
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