Bill Frazer’s campaign was a class act from beginning to end. Definitely a bright spot in the City of Houston Municipal Elections.
Bill and Jean Frazer
Dear Friends,
Thank you so very much for your support of my campaign for Houston City Controller. While the election results didn’t come out exactly the way I wanted, I’m proud of our campaign and feel like I made a real difference in the dialogue.
When I announced my candidacy on February 15th, there was virtually no discussion about the financial issues facing the City of Houston. I was told by countless “experts” that it was a mistake to focus on these issues while the metropolitan area experiences solid economic growth and everything “seems to be working well.” I was also told that I had very little chance of winning. There were those who encouraged my campaign simply to gain valuable experience for running again in two years after the current incumbent is term-limited. But I kept winning believers, raising money, and giving my charts-and-graphs presentation and speeches on the City of Houston’s financial facts to anyone and everyone who would listen.
Although very disappointed in the outcome, I’m heartened not only by the tremendous support I received on the campaign trail, but also by the fact that I really came so very close to winning. I entered this race as a political novice, a first time candidate running a citywide race with a very limited budget, operating from a “front porch” office and a rented mailbox, and I came within 2.5{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} of defeating an entrenched politician.
I had tremendous help during the campaign from some of the very best people around: Phil Owens and Whitney Allen served as my campaign managers. Phil served as my chief strategist, using his extensive local grassroots contacts to help me find believers. Whitney created all of my materials, managed communications, candidate screenings, and neighborhood outreach, and organized the campaign team. Holly Boyter kept me organized throughout the campaign and managed my packed daily schedule every day for over six months. John Biundo conducted voter and data research for targeted mailing and block walking. Sue Walden taught me how to raise money, probably my least favorite thing to do, but she got me to do it.
Pam Holm came through in a big way and I’ll be forever grateful for all the work she did to help me navigate the campaign process. Other members of my Steering Committee; David Acosta, Jim Noteware, Steve Krueger, and Mark Lee brought their particular skills and contacts to help me out whenever I needed them. Rennie Baker, Stephen Yoe, and Don Sumners served as my stand-in any time and every time I asked.
And Bob Lemer provided his valuable insights into decades of city financial issues, and was not shy about his support.
My son, Jeremy, conducted all the financial data research and developed all the charts and graphs that I used religiously throughout the campaign. My daughter, Jen, taught me how to effectively use Facebook and developed effective e-mail and newspaper ads. She walked blocks, helped with neighborhood Meet & Greets, put up signs, and did everything she could to help me out. And my sister, Sally Geis, did a superb job coordinating poll workers, and worked early voting and election-day polls alone and with my brother-in-law JG, who also doubled as a sign installer all across Acres Homes.
And from the very beginning, Jean has been my biggest supporter. I can’t tell you how much a candidate’s spouse sacrifices during a campaign. But Jean was always there, encouraging me and helping me with every aspect of staying on track.
And of course, there are folks like you, my supporters and contributors. I can’t thank you enough for your support, encouragement, and interest in my campaign. Thank you for all the block walking hours, for putting signs in your yards, for forwarding so many e-mails to your friends, for “liking” my Facebook page, for wearing my t-shirts around town, and for working the polls during early voting and on election day. And my special thanks for the many times you invited me into your own homes for candidate Meet & Greets so I could talk personally to your friends and colleagues about our city’s finances.
Since last Tuesday, I’ve received quite a number of e-mails, phone calls, and letters expressing disappointment in the outcome, but supportive of our campaign and encouraging me to run again in two years. I won’t commit to anything now, but I’m not closing any doors either.
I’ve built up a tremendous number of contacts and support that I plan to maintain regardless of any decision to run for political office again. I plan to stay in touch with all the grass roots organizations and to continue to monitor the City’s financial performance. Helping to restore our City’s financial health is, after all, why I embarked upon this campaign in the first place.
Thank you again for your tremendous support, and don’t give up the fight for Houston’s future!
