The 13th Apostol: Andrew Winninghams Rebuttal

Sorry this didn't get to you sooner, I mistyped your email address when I tried sending this to you the first time.

I just read your recent blog post about me - thanks for your interest in my candidacy, but there are a few misunderstandings that I would like to clear up.
I know of no trust fund that names me as a beneficiary, and I have never received a payment from a trust fund. My grandfather only died about a year ago, and his estate passed to my grandmother (as far as I know). My grandmother gave part of the money from my grandfather's life insurance policy to my wife and I, the bulk of which we invested.
I was raised by a single, working mother with limited access to child support - I had a great childhood and went to good schools.
I have been out discussing issues with voters at the doorstep since May. Yesterday alone, I knocked on over 200 doors. I wear slacks and a button-down shirt because I take this campaign and the office seriously, and I would like my appearance to reflect that. If you had a flyer on your door, then you are on my list, and I have knocked on your door twice.
It is unfortunate that you do not appreciate my campaign strategy, but in my experience at the door, people do care that my opponent is a lobbyist, and they do care that his campaign has raised tens of thousands of dollars for our state rep seat. If it isn't important to you, my website and the other literature I've left on your door explain a bit more about my issue positions.
Which big brother are you talking about?

~Andrew Winningham
(You can certainly call me Andy, also - I started going by Andrew two years ago, so only people I've met since then really call me Andrew, anyways.)

Dear Andy:

You absolutely MUST be prepared for these types of "Interests in your Candidacy" in the political arena.
Your life will become an open book, people will say things that are and are not true...

Are you mature enough NOT to respond when someone blogs about you?
Or better yet, do you care enough to change things? Truly, were so sick of seeing politicians who look like mannequins.

I lived a sheltered life just like you until I was 34 years old. Nary a speeding ticket. Private school education. A privileged childhood I had.
The truth is, it's a long ways from Deer Creek to the hood. From Nichols Hills, to the bowels of the inner city.
I've fought, scraped, and struggled to get my child out of City Housing...without ANY child support. Have you ever seen city housing? I am now a home owner in your district...

Are you not the full grandson of William Morris? (Morris Chevrolet) Deceased now over 20 years, and legalities aside, had a right to what was yours as did your brothers. I doubt your mom had to live in the projects to support you, but we all can't be so lucky.

Who came up with this campaign strategy anyway? Not once on your not-on-recycled-paper-handouts that are littering the neighborhood, did you address one single issue that MATTERS today.

What makes you any different than any other politician (some of which I consider close friends)

What about funding for mental health care? For long term drug and alcohol treatment?
There's no beds available unless you have private pay insurance. People are dying, and all you can come up with is "Don't vote for him, vote for me...because I'm not raising a bunch of money!" Genius.

You know by now I'm not a liberal, but I'll be damned if I support my party when the people in power continue to ignore the thousands of families waiting for housing in the city alone.
You'll push issues aside just like everyone else does once they get elected, because the problems are too big and there's really cool things like having major league teams come live here to address first.

I'll vote for you on one condition. I'll vote for you if you take excellent care of Billy.
Whatever he needs YOU make sure he gets.
YOU be the one to make sure he doesn't end up a statistic. YOU be the one to claim him.

With that said, just be aware there will always be someone out there who knows something about you you don't want them to know.
Be honest about it. Be who you are, not who you think people want you to be, hit the real issues, don't go on statistics (they're highly over rated)
There are very poor people living in your district, elderly people who still can't afford ice storm damage repair, living on a fixed income, too proud to tell a young man and his wife running for office...they live on tuna fish so they can eat with their cat.

Praxis Development's CEO Kory Warr raised the rent on Mayfair Market to intentionally sell out to CVS. The Market used to deliver groceries to our elderly, home-bound neighbors. How do they get their groceries NOW? (He also sold this house w/ a fraudulent disclosure, but because it's in this district does not qualify for rehab assistance)

You are dealing with generations of individuals, you are dealing with renters, multi cultural families, women who have had abortions, who gives a rats ass how many doors you knocked on. Did you attend the Neighborhood Housing Meeting? Churches in your district? Stand outside Jim's Barber Shop, Walgreens, etc. and shake hands?

Try something new...because right now if you asked my 78 yr old neighbor across the street who he was to vote for...he wouldn't know the difference between you and whats-his-name.

Rent a giant balloon bounce, put it up at the elementary school, or Mayfair parking lot (contact Praxis Development of course for permission) and draw ATTENTION to yourself Andy.
Put on a T-shirt and shorts and get out there and talk with "The people"...stop taking the election so seriously, and start taking the issues and the people seriously.

You have to pay nearly $4.00 a gallon for gas just like the rest of us...

NEVER be afraid to do a new trick, it just might land you a career.