Write in Williams

Just as a governing body needs experienced, seasoned leaders, it also benefits from new energy and fresh ideas. That is one of the reasons The Daily Progress is endorsing write-in candidate Andrew Williams for City Council.
Mr. Williams is an impressive 23-year-old who is currently both working and going to school.
This past year he was one of only two students to serve on the Virginia Community College Strategic Plan-ning Task Force. Clearly, others recognize his passion and promise.
As someone who has had to persist against odds to succeed, he knows what it’s like to work hard at identifying and solving problems. In fact, he says, his own effort as a write-in candidate without a campaign manager has refined his ability “to manage limited resources … a skill that’s very important” in government.
We also agree that council would be improved by an independent, nonpartisan voice such as his, contributing to “a diverse city government.”
His positions on the issues will be deepened as he gains experience, but they are generally sound and within the mainstream. Meanwhile, it is his attitude that we find most exciting. “I’m not really pushing to be a politician,” he says. “I’m pushing to be a representative.”
Imagine the signal it would send to other young men and women if he were elected. What a role model he could be for his peers, who may themselves be struggling against the odds.
His election would be a win for inclusiveness — and for the voters.