*ahem*

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for coming tonight. I want to start by telling a little story.

A few weeks ago, I was standing in front of the community bulletin board that hangs at my usual gas station, when I noticed someone had tacked up a sample primary ballot for public viewing. Naturally, I go to peruse the list of names to vote for on the Republican ballot (my party affiliation, for those not in the know).

There are four seats for State Representative in the city of Lebanon, so the Republicans can nominate four candidates for the general election in November. The ballot says "Vote for Up to Four". And my finger scans down.

All two names. Two people, running for four slots.

For a while, that just kind of sat there in my head, turning over randomly. Up until several days ago when I placed a call to the Chairwoman of the local Republican committee.

As of yesterday, I am an official Write-In candidate for the Republican nomination for State Representative.

(No, this is no joke)

I have made stickers using name badge stickers you can print on your computer, and have spray painted some yard signs using the backside of some of my father's old school boards signs.

This evening I attended my first campaign event, in Lyme, NH, at a Barn Party. It was a rally to energize the Republican voting base, and I got to address the event briefly. My wife says I need to stop moving quite so much when I speak. Must be the actor in me, I need blocking.

So, if I get enough write in votes on Tuesday (9/12), I will be on the General Election ballot in November for real. The chances of me actually winning in November would be very slim, but stranger things have happened, I suppose.

I'll take questions now, if you have them.