LETTER TO THE EDITOR:  Thank you, Washington County.

Thank you for the 224 votes I received for the District 2 Congressional seat. I placed 4th in a field of 5.

I ran as an unaffiliated, independent candidate with the goal of asking tough questions, challenging obsolete assumptions, and promoting common sense and reality-based solutions. I ran against money in politics and against fear, fantasy, and ideology.

My one year Experiment in Democracy ended on midnight Nov. 6. I lost, but winning was not the objective. The objective was to experience the process and work towards changing the conversation. That objective was successful.

The experiment and its analysis will result in a short e-book, The Run – #2 in an E Book Trilogy:

#1 – The Call – the call for active involvement and participation;

#2 – The Run – my one year Experiment in Democracy;

#3 – The Plan – what I would have tried to do had I been elected.

This Trilogy is designed as a guide and handbook for others who want to get involved in active Democracy. It will be available, free and on line, in early 2013.

Although my campaign web site has been archived for historical and research purposes, I will continue to use the same site URL (2andrade.org) for an ongoing blog (Substantive Politics) and for other political commentary, critique, and input -with an emphasis on Utah and energy/climate/environment issues and topics.

Those 224 of you who voted for me, thank you – the future really is in your hands. Please run yourself – or strongly support and help candidates who work towards restoring our Democracy. I will not run again.

Please express your voices and positions loudly, clearly, and often to your new Congressman and to our State government. If enough of you speak up, you will be heard.

The times are indeed changing.

Joseph Andrade

former candidate for Congress, District 2, Utah

Email:  [email protected]

Website:  www.2andrade.org

Telephone: 801-706-6747

Postal mail:  949 Mill Creek Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84106