For those of you who don’t know me well, I’m kind of a democracy nerd. I’ve got copies of the Federalist Papers, Paine’s Common Sense, DeTocqueville’s Democracy in America. I am comfortable discussing the Northwest Ordinance and various democratic systems. My dad was an investigative journalist, so the Fourth Estate is near and dear to me.

I believe that a healthy democracy offers choices. If there is only one person running for a position, that is not a choice, that is not democracy.

In the past 2 decades, Dexter voters have regularly had elections for village president or city mayor with only one potential candidate.

I believe that a health democracy has limits on the highest elected official. George Washing made the decision to only serve two terms when he could have been president for life. This tradition was cemented by Thomas Jefferson and continued for almost a century and a half, before being codified as the 22nd Amendment.

When the highest elected official remains in office for a long period of time, it allows for the accumulation of power, a reduction in competition, a stagnation of new perspectives, and development of a cult of personality.

Dexter’s current mayor has held that position since 2007. That’s fifteen years.

During that time, Michigan has had 3 governors, the United States has had 4 presidents, and even Russia has had 3 presidents. (Yes, 2 of different presidential terms was the the same person and that person was really in charge the whole time, but they wanted the appearance of a change of power.)

Fifteen years is enough.

I will bring fresh eyes to the position, but eyes that come with experience.

If elected mayor , I will adhere to the example set by General Washington and step aside after 2 terms.