Letter: More Action, Less Politics
A Retrospective and Heartfelt Thank You to Supporters
On June 25, 2024, I lost my year-long campaign for State Senate District 19. As a student of history, I found it challenging to mourn the loss because words from past elections echoed through the chamber of my consciousness. Congressman Joe Neguse, after his loss in the 2014 secretary of state race, centered his message on learning from the experience. Senator Rachel Zenzinger, after her loss in 2014’s state senate race, emphasized continued advocacy for our shared values. Barack Obama, after 2000’s loss in Illinois Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives, called it a step in his journey and emphasized the transformation he sought to bring to the world. In the aftermath of her loss in Georgia’s 2018 gubernatorial race, Stacey Abrams proclaimed, “In political circles, what we accomplished will be dismissed as a moral victory…I learned long ago that winning doesn’t always mean you get the prize. Sometimes you get progress, and that counts.”
First, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my opponent for their victory. Second, I want to express my deepest gratitude to YOU - the donors and volunteers that fueled this campaign. Powered by a bipartisan, multi-ethnic, and intergenerational coalition of progressives and conservatives, we triumphed over unexpected headwinds that spanned from performative allies to far-right millionaires, all protecting their own self-interests. We broke records on this campaign, inspiring new generations to participate in our democracy by dedicating their time and energy to transform Colorado’s political system from within and reshape the future of our district, state, and democracy. Our hearts held hands before we could, and together, we achieved remarkable milestones: we ranked #4 statewide in fundraising and number of donations across all races, garnered 150+ volunteers and endorsements from half the Capitol, knocked on over 21,000 doors, wrote over 18,000 postcards, collected 1,100 ballot petition signatures, and secured a 60% win at the Democratic County assembly. The invasion of over $515,000 of dark money and disgusting negative mailers shifted the likely election outcome, but we have much to be proud of and more to look forward to.
I learned 6 essential lessons:
I was my own campaign manager, which taught me to leverage my strategic planning skillsets, and I learned invaluable skills in community organizing and grassroots mobilization.
Donor engagement: I discovered how to fundraise at scale from everyday people by focusing on real outcomes; building my expertise in financial planning and analysis.
Communications and media strategy: Politicians must become better messengers to navigate our disaggregated, virality-focused media ecosystem.
Problem-solving: Campaigns should be forward-looking and contrastive, not backward-looking and transactional.
Policy analysis: Synergies between municipal and state governance highlight gaps in transparent communication and shared understanding; Policies must be proactive and preventative.
I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska; a first-generation American raised in New Jersey by a working-class mother. I survived violence, destitution, and emotional abuse, grew up in the church, and eventually won the most votes for a City Councilor in Westminster’s history. We must create pathways for every child to have similar opportunities as child poverty remains a statewide issue. It shouldn’t take an act of luck to prosper. I started my run with a need to protect my daughter and ended it with a passion to protect our democracy. I am a left-of-center populist with private-and-public sector business experience that champions empathy and transparency to address the historic distrust in our political system, center the needs of marginalized communities and enhance the education and economic security of working families and small businesses. I believe a thread of hope binds us all - from the depths of our challenges to the heights of our aspirations - towards building a future that reflects the best of who we are. My very existence and political identity challenges the divisive insistence on rigid categorization. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.
But during the 2024 primaries, I watched with sorrow as candidates were confined to labels like "progressive" or "business" while many on both sides embraced tribalism and big-corporate influence. After decades of positive advancements in voter access, dark money now fuels psychological voter suppression, subtly transforming democracy in Colorado away from physical barriers to more insidious tactics. To be clear, some candidates - like Rebekah Stewart, an incredible human who executed an even more incredible campaign - would have won their race regardless of the external influence. Ultimately, the true roots of Colorado’s cost of living crisis and economic disparity lie within the flawed systems and the unchecked greed that exploits the many for the benefit of the few. Some examples: the big corporations that shut down small businesses and perpetuate our greed-flation; the financial institutions that fuel the housing crisis by buying Colorado inventory, leaving working families struggling to find affordable homes; and processes like Caucus/Assembly which aims to be grassroots but actually keeps new candidates out by prioritizing insider influence.
The 2024 Democratic State Assembly was exceptionally well-run. But, my heart goes out to supporters like Robert Banzin, a lifetime Democrat and 48-year district resident, who were disenfranchised by outdated and unfair caucus rules/practices preventing their participation as delegates for their first time in decades. Despite the obstacles, I still won 60%, but democracy lost; we need to do better. For what it’s worth, I believe we should replace Caucus/Assembly with a requirement for candidates to achieve a majority percentage of campaign contributions from within their district by a specific date to gain ballot access. If we are all willing to learn, grow, and adapt, we can build a political system that truly serves everyone.
Looking ahead, my vision remains clear: more action, less politics. Our democracy, a beautiful work in progress, needs leaders who are vulnerable, courageous, and innovative. We need leaders that choose to harness young people’s bold, brave passion and creativity while also leveraging the wisdom of our seniors to ensure they can live the rest of their lives with dignity and independence. No matter your political affiliation, your engagement in advocacy, activism, or policymaking is critical to creating a culture of care that allows you to take care of yourself and the people you love. It isn’t about the Right or Left, but about doing what’s good and fair. My term as a Westminster City Councilor ends in November 2025 and I plan to tirelessly champion long-term solutions to protect my constituents’ future, secure their economic security, and elevate their quality of life until my very last day in office. To my supporters: worrying is a waste of our imagination—our work is far from finished. I am inspired to serve in whatever capacity is needed.
For now, after a year-long campaign, I am joyful and excited to make up for lost time with my wife and daughter. In addition to wherever my career takes me next, I plan to write an autobiography focusing on my journey of trauma and resilience, chronicling my life and career. I believe our scars are precious, beautiful tragedies that must be shared along with a vision for an economy that works for everyone and a more engaged and transparent government. I would love to hear your story and dreams; let’s have coffee soon.
Thank you for everything. We successfully navigated waters that outsiders like us were never meant to cross, overcame discrimination, grew together and confirmed our power when we take one act of courage: hope.
Yours in service and hope,
Obi Ezeadi
Link to my full voting record.
Some ways I try to meet you where you are:
I hold weekly office hours (every Monday at 4:30PM at City Hall) - no appointment needed
Follow Obi on Instagram
Text or call me: 720-447-5606
Door-knocking (not for an election) to meet you where you are, connect you to resources and hear from you about issues I should prioritize
City Council Town Halls around the city
Obi’s Community Resources Master List
I hope democracy prevails and that citizens honor and wield the privilege of their one vote in every election.