One of my goals in running was to encourage and support others in doing the same, to help provide people with choices this election. People have choice this election - there are a lot of candidates to choose from and most importantly there are enough candidates to choose from to deliver a functional council table. We can have a Victoria that works, it is possible - and now the hard work is in making that possibility reality.
I have taken the time to meet with many of the other candidates running and think that many are people with whom good governance could become a reality. I'd like to see a broad swath of our community represented at that table and think it's important that voices aren't shut out - I think it's important that the people who are elected are people who want to be there, but who do not need to be there. People who are very aware what their role and reason is for running - people who love this city. There are more than a few running right now who maybe want it "too much" and see it as a way of fulfilling deeply personal goals and caution is merited as those deeply personal goals are likely to trump the broader goals of the community. A reluctant politician is a good thing.
A word or two on slates. There is only one clear slate this election - VIVA - and it's important to be clear that an electoral organization is a powerful tool that puts independent campaigns on steroids. It makes the "lifting" much easier - the signs are polished and consistent, the fundraising is there, the voter list is pooled, the volunteers are shared, the policy development is refined and often there is support from senior levels of political parties (in VIVA's case it's the PPC), candidates are directly involved in the decisions of the organization.
Then there seems to be a shadow slate - what many have termed Together Victoria 2.0 - the VLC, BCGEU, GVCTEH, HFL etc. list of commonly endorsed candidates - many have the same people endorsing their candidacy (of note Sonia Theroux). These appear to be very well funded and organized campaigns.
Lastly, there are the independents. They stick out as plucky contenders - in any other election, they'd like stand little chance of success. Maybe this time too - it depends on how willing voters are to do their homework. The only thing that generally groups them, is that these are the ones who have clearly articulated an opposition to MMHI as it was formulated.