A letter from C. J. Lewis

We received today the following letter from C. J. Lewis, candidate for mayor of Pensacola:

With November 4 almost here I’m writing to thank you for the endorsement of Progressive Pensacola. It more than counterbalances the non-endorsements of the Pensacola News Journal and the Independent Weekly. Both dismissals worked to my favor according to voters who commented that each expressed such reluctant support for Mr. Wiggins. As a City of Pensacola resident your endorsement carries a lot of weight with me and I think with other city voters as well. I urge you to continue to shining the spotlight on city issues.

No matter who gets elected tomorrow everyone in the city will win because 9 of 10 council races are contested. Many months before I decided to run for elected office I wrote a letter to the News Journal titled “Leadership by Default.” I pointed out that two years ago 6 of 10 members of our council were elected without opposition. That helped explain to me why the council seemed to so often vote against the interests of the city residents and businesses.

As Mark O’Brien points out in his blog today I did use what he characterizes as “guerilla” tactics to reach the voters. I didn’t think of them as such but that would be a fair characterization of any and all methods not used by my main opponent Mr. Wiggins. He ran as an entrenched incumbent. Lacking money, staff, or “connections”, I simply did the best I could with what I had.

I picked up a lot of votes in the aisles at Sam’s Club, at Pelican games, or while hanging out at Palafox Market. I blogged a lot, worked the Internet, and taught myself to set up a website. Against the recommendation of everyone I expressed my detailed views on specific issues. I also spent the better part of nearly two weeks standing out in front of Tryon Library during early voting introducing myself to voters, assisted at times by my wife and some very loyal neighbors and friends. We’ll see tomorrow if the thousands of hasty job interviews made the difference.

There is a great reservoir of good will for the next mayor and council. I heard this repeatedly as I spoke with both city and county voters. I was touched by the many people saying they were praying for me and also for the next council. I was also very surprised by the large number of county residents who said, “I wish I lived in the city.” I told them my job as Mayor was to lower the cost of living in the city and bring the city limits and city services out to where they live. These future city residents are all envious of our fire department, our parks & recreation facilities, and the beauty of our waterfront. Given wise leadership I know we can bring them into our community sooner rather than later.

Thanks again,
Christopher J. “CJ” Lewis
Candidate for Mayor of Pensacola

If anyone out there hasn’t voted yet, please vote C. J. Lewis for Mayor. He’d be such a breath of fresh air.