At the Doors: Why I’m Running for a Different Kind of Mayor
I spent the afternoon canvassing in South on Main. Knocking doors is one of my favorite parts of campaigning—it’s neighbors talking to neighbors about where we are and where we’re headed.
One man told me he likes Mayor Caldwell. I get that. I actually like Mayor Caldwell a lot—I just think we need something different than what he provides. He’s a moderate Republican, and while I don’t think he’s MAGA, I also don’t think he’s willing to go on record speaking out against the MAGA brand of fascism and authoritarianism that the Trump regime embraces. Right now, with Georgia preparing to put armed National Guardsmen on our streets, we need a mayor who isn’t afraid to speak plainly and stand up for people’s freedoms.
Another neighbor told me, “I love Woodstock,” as if running against the incumbents meant I didn’t. But I love Woodstock too. That’s why I live here. Loving your hometown doesn’t mean pretending it’s perfect. We can be more transparent about where our tax dollars go. We can let people weigh in before decisions are made. And we can do better than traffic jams and developer giveaways.
I also met people who admitted they feel out of touch with what’s going on in the city. That’s part of what I want to fix. Yes, Woodstock posts agendas and streams meetings—but most folks don’t see how those dry, bureaucratic items connect to their everyday quality of life. Government should meet people where they are. It should explain what’s at stake in plain English, not after decisions are already made, but before.
Some folks told me they were relieved to hear someone finally say, “I am not MAGA,” out loud in Woodstock politics. So, let me be clear: I am not MAGA.
One man said he wished politics were less divisive—that we could all just get along. I agree with him. You can oppose MAGA’s policies of fascism and authoritarianism and still want to cooperate with people. But here’s the truth: MAGA is anti-cooperation. MAGA divides in order to conquer.
I want us to focus on what we share. We have far more in common as human beings than the people in power want us to believe. By being honest and saying “I am anti-MAGA,” I hope to make it clear what I am for: democracy, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and freedom. Those values shouldn’t just live on paper in Washington—they should guide how our city runs, too.
And for those who say nothing needs to change? If you vote for Caldwell, you know what you’ll get: the same status quo. The same council members, the same incremental changes, while traffic gets worse and developers get what they want. But this isn’t the same Woodstock as when Caldwell was first elected. Times are changing fast—AI, economic uncertainty, armed troops in our state, and more. We need leadership that doesn’t just go through the motions but is willing to meet those changes head-on, boldly.
I can promise you I will do that. I don’t think Mayor Caldwell will.
Woodstock deserves more than business-as-usual. We deserve a mayor who will speak truth to power, turn up the volume on democracy, and make sure every voice counts.
