As the 2022 election cycle closes — and not even complete yet as of this writing — the 2023 election cycle is bubbling underneath as potential candidates weigh their options and try to arrive at a decision: Do I run? Should I run? Am I sure about this? What if I run and lose? What if I run and win? How many signatures do I need? Was that last signer a registered voter?
The levels of confidence and doubt, excitement and dread struggle within the candidate’s mind. The hours of pondering launch surprise attacks — during the workday, in the evening and often at 2 a.m., demanding that a decision be made… tick tock… tick tock… sleep can wait …. “Wake up, we must talk, now.”
Hours of decision come at any time, and the mind races.
The adrenaline builds as petitions are signed and, with luck, overrides the doubt that builds when someone declines to sign.
I have often advised new candidates that the process is arduous but well worth the effort in the end. I have advised that on election night, they will be the loneliest person on the earth, and no one else — save another candidate — can ever relate to that loneliness.
Hours of decision come at any time, and the mind races.
For me, I have had the thrill of campaigns and elections since 1989, when I first ran for office in Lima’s 1st Ward through my campaign in 2019 for my current term as president of Lima City Council.
I have enjoyed the campaigns and the resulting work and challenges of serving in office for nearly 32 years. I had the privilege to serve with over 40 different councilors, three council clerks, two mayors, three auditors and two directors of law. I still consider each of them friends who all had the same goal in office: make Lima better. We all took our work seriously, we agreed, we disagreed, but we made decisions — some easy, some hard — but always what each thought was best for the city and those we represented.
Hours of decision come at any time, and the mind races.
All of which brings me to today. Hours of decision making which come at any time, and the mind races.
I have contemplated whether I should seek election to another term as president of Lima City Council. The hours of decision…
I even began circulating nominating petitions and felt a little adrenaline flowing. The mind races…
At 2 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, the mind raced and woke me up: “Sleep can wait… Wake up, we must talk, now.” The conversation continued the remainder of the night and into the morning. Eventually my wife was brought into the conversation, just as she has been in every campaign. Her wise counsel was: “It’s up to you. You’ll make the right decision!” The mind races.
At some point Tuesday evening, I realized that the right decision was to pass on this election cycle. I can tell you firsthand that the hours of decision and the mind racing continued. How do I tell the folks who had signed my petition just a few days before that I am ending the quest for another term? How does one announce he is not seeking re-election yet assure voters that one’s commitment will remain throughout the remainder of the term?
I only know one way, and that is to simply say:
Hi, my name is John Nixon, and I am not seeking re-election for president of Lima City Council. I will continue to live up to the oath of office which I accepted in January 2020 at the beginning of this term through the completion of this term, an oath I have been sworn to 10 times since January 1990.
Some will be happy; perhaps some not so much, but I have enjoyed the privilege and honor of serving everyone as a member of Lima City Council.
Hours of decision come at any time, and the mind races.
John Nixon is president of Lima’s city council. His column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Lima News editorial board or AIM Media, owner of The Lima News.
