11/06/2019
Team Gunn,
The final votes are in, and at this time I would like to congratulate Councilwoman Johnson, Councilman Reece and Councilwoman Caballero on a successful campaign and on their victory. I also want to congratulate my fellow challengers Jackie Wagstaff and Daniel Meier on great campaigns.
Secondly, I have to say thank you. Thank you to every single one of you who showed up to stand with my family and I as we fought to bring change to the city we love. Thank you to every volunteer, every person who stood at the polls, knocked on doors, put a sign in your yard, a message on Facebook/Instagram, wore a button or a t-shirt. And a huge thank you to the 18,490 people who voted for me, Joshua Gunn for Durham City Council yesterday!
I need to thank Shanetta Burris, my campaign strategist, who helped me learn so much in a short amount of time. When I decided to run for office, it was because I wanted to help the city that I love, I knew the issues and the policies but I honestly had no clue what it took to run a campaign. Shanetta came on my team and helped create an organized campaign that was based on strategy and data and the voice of the people. I would not be standing where I stand today, just a couple steps from a seat on City Council without her. If anyone asks, tell them the best campaign strategist in this city is Shanetta Burris, and I was so fortunate she believed enough in me to help turn me into a legitimate candidate.
Thank you also to Conen Morgan, my campaign consultant for helping polish this campaign and ensure we delivered professional quality material at every turn.
Thank you to my wife Charity Amanda for sacrificing so much over the past 4 months.
Thank you for keeping everything together at home and caring for me and our children as I fought my way through this difficult and taxing campaign. You are the most amazing woman and I could never thank you enough.
Thank you to the Durham Comittee on the Affairs of Black People, The Friends of Durham, The Fraternal order of Police, and the countless Durham elected officials and residents that endorsed our campaign.
There are far too many to list, but you know you are and I hope you know, I appreciate you.
Let’s be clear, while we may not have gained a seat on city council, this is a victory. It was 3 against 1. Three incumbents in a bloc, versus one candidate. What we overcame is incredible. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, we stood tall against the largest political machine in Durham, and without the support of many of Durham’s most influential political figures, and we came within 395 votes of winning a seat on Durham City Council! 395 votes y’all.... only 0.41% .
Before this election, there was a sentiment that our votes no longer count. The PA’s voice had become so dominant that I was told “the election doesn’t happen in November, it happens at the PA endorsement meeting,” well we just proved them wrong and proved that in fact, every single vote counts. We were one neighborhood away. One church congregation, One Sorority away from restoring the voice of all people in Durham’s democracy. They hear us now y’all. They see us. And we ain’t going anywhere.
Today my family and I will rest, and take a few moments just to be together. I will not be replying to media requests for a few days, nor will I be available much on social media. I’ll be taking some time to prioritize my wife and kids, but make no mistake, we are not done yet. Please accept my sincerest gratitude for all of your love and support. I’m proud of Durham, and proud to be in service to this city. There’s much more to be done, this city needs us. Please don’t give up; I most certainly will not.
Peace and Love,
J.Gunn
