This morning I officially launched my campaign to represent the newly redrawn District 65 seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. It’s been a long time coming. In 2016 as President Obama was exiting the White House, in his last official address he issued a challenge to the next generation of leaders saying, run for something.  He reminded us that the change we need as a society isn’t based on one person, but instead will require something of all of us to contribute. 

It was that moment when I first felt called to run for office, and I did, joining about 90+ other local candidates who ran for a seat on our newly created South Fulton city council.  It was an amazing time, filled with lots of lessons learning about the political process and civic engagement. Over the years as I engaged in organizing work, I learned just how important movements are to seeding change. We saw it with the recent social justice movements led by young people who are dissatisfied with the status quo and who are increasingly fed up with the pace of change.  

In 2024 we find ourselves again on the precipice of change. This won’t necessarily be the space where I’ll make my argument for what I’m trying to accomplish (you can visit www.samwakefield.com to learn more about our campaign). However, I’m clear about why I’m running. Each of my daughters right now are growing up in a society that is more fixated on division and fear, and I feel called to a politics of unity and hope. I’ve always felt that more of our common problems can be solved with consensus in the middle. I’m not an ideologue, because the practical reality is that we’ve all got to live together. There’s more work to be done, and it will require a sustained, collective effort from each of us to make progress.  Excited for what lies ahead.

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