This Is Your Chance to Be Heard!

Are you a moderate to progressive voter in Nixa's first district? Are you an LGBTQ voter in Nixa's first district, or the parent, spouse, child, sibling, or friend of an LGBTQ person? If so, this message is especially for you - please read it!

This campaign has been....interesting. I am running for city council on a platform which is not "progressive" or "liberal" in the least. City council is non-partisan, and involves making decisions about things like budget allocations, housing developments, chickens, road improvements, etc. I love city government, and am very excited about the opportunity to be on city council and help my neighbors have the best city we can have. I want to make sure that we have enough businesses here to balance our tax burden. I want to support our local small businesses. I want to make sure that we take care of our young and our old. I want to make sure that we have a great sidewalk system, good traffic flow, a great police department, and wonderful recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. I want to make sure we have beautiful public spaces and a growing fine arts scene. And yes, I want to help implement the city's diversity and inclusion initiatives and make sure that we are doing everything we can to support our under-represented residents. Some think this is "liberal" - I disagree. I think it's kind. It's necessary. It's the least we can do. Nixa should be a place for EVERYONE, where we all feel safe and at home and welcomed.

However, from the very beginning, I have had a group of vocal detractors who don't care to ask me about city-government related issues at all. Rather, they have latched on to the fact that I'm progressive and am an LGBTQ advocate, and have only wanted to talk about hot-button issues that have nothing to do with city council. I have done my best to re-direct the conversation, over and over, to no avail. When asked questions about my support for the LGBTQ community, I have answered honestly and proudly. And so, these detractors have told me again and again that I'm too liberal for Nixa, that Nixa is a very conservative community and isn't the right place for me, that I don't belong on Nixa's city council.

When they say those things to me, they're saying them to YOU, too. They either mistakenly believe that everyone in Nixa is just like them, or they know that Nixa has progressive folks, but believe that we don't count, don't matter, and should just go away, or at the very least keep our thoughts to ourselves.

Do you keep your progressive views to yourself because of the prevailing attitudes in our community? Do you get tired of not having a voice? Do you either not vote at all in state/municipal elections or vote with little to no enthusiasm, because there is virtually NEVER someone on the ballot who represents YOU? Well, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. Your chance to vote for someone who does represent you. Your chance to have one of six members of your city council be progressive. Your chance to show Nixa that YOU ARE HERE, you deserve a voice, and you deserve representation just as much as everyone else.

If all some care about is the fact that I'm progressive, then I'm just going to lean into that, and invite you to lean with me. My detractors don't believe that I can possibly get elected, because Nixa is just too conservative to elect "someone like me." Let's show them how wrong they are! If I win this election, they will have to take notice, finally, that we are here and we matter. If not everyone in Nixa is conservative, why should every member of city council be conservative? EVERYONE deserves representation.

Nixa's large brick sign on 160 says that we are "The Progressive Choice of the Ozarks." Let's work towards making that come true! Let's make sure that Nixa continues to be a leader in the region, is an attractive, welcoming place for ALL people, and embraces progress and change for the better rather than remaining stagnant.

So, this coming Tuesday, April 6, PLEASE come to the polls, cast your vote, and make your voice heard. Here is a chance to "speak up" without fear of backlash. Here is your chance, finally, to vote for someone at the local level who shares your views and who represents you.

If elected to city council, I will represent every single Nixan, from conservative to progressive and everything in between. I see you. You matter. I want to work for YOU.

PLEASE come to the polls between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and VOTE FOR AMY! Every vote counts, and in order to win, I only need one more vote than anyone else. Your vote could be that one!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and your votes.