In 2003 I moved to the Bronx. Eager to become involved in my local community I struck out one day shortly there after to introduce myself to the local GOP leadership. As luck would have it someone was in the office that day and I left my contact info after meeting with the executive assistance.

 Looking back I realize it wasn't just luck but highly unusual that someone was even in that day. Since that initial trip I've made dozens of trips to the office on Williamsbridge. In the four plus years since I moved out here I've found someone in the office about half a dozen times. 

What is more appalling to me is that with each visit where someone was in the office I've left contact information with the hope I might be asked to help either the party or a campaign. In the four plus years I've lived in the Bronx I've never been asked to circulate a petition, register voters, stuff envelopes, man a phone bank, or walk with a candidate. I've never even been contacted by the Bronx GOP to assist with anything.

On November 5th I went to vote as soon as I crawled out of bed. It is a tradition of mine to basically go to the polls in my pajamas. When I stepped in to the booth I was presented with a slate of candidates where I really only knew the positions of one. John McCain. I didn't know who the GOP candidate for the NY Assembly was.  I didn't know who the GOP candidate for NY Senate was. Though oddly his name was also on the democrat line. This infuriated me. Why would my party allow a democrat on the republican line? I decided to write in a name, as I had done for my presidential vote, to protest my unhappiness with the party choice.  I've never felt worse about voting than I did that morning. 

After I got home I decided to make a quick stop by the GOP headquarters to see how the local elections went. I wasn't just disappointed to see it closed I was infuriated. As I walked homed my anger rose as I thought about how inept the leadership in the Bronx has been the last five years. How I had never been used as a resource to help with anything. How the base was being destroyed by not being put to use. I decided it was time I finally force my way into the party leadership. 

I'm here to announce it is my intent to become a GOP District Leader in the Bronx. I know this will be a challenge because the establishment never wants to let a newcomer in to the fold. I'm ready to fight for the life of my party even if the leadership is not.  

If you happen to live in the Bronx, or not, and want to help me in my campaign please feel free to contact me at chance@haywood.name.