Michael Barrick- candidate for Caldwell County School Board

I am seeking election to the Caldwell County School Board. I am a Libertarian, which means that I am definitely outnumbered – at least on paper. So, I would have been foolish to pass up an opportunity to mingle with the thousands of people that visited here this past Friday and Saturday for the North Carolina Blackberry Festival.

I had the distinct pleasure of introducing Mike Ross, the Libertarian candidate for North Carolina governor, to many friends, neighbors and visitors uptown. (Mike is a great guy with a solid platform; check it out here).

We had a lovely time. For several hours, I caught up with old friends and Mike introduced himself. Every person was as kind and pleasant as they could be. It didn’t surprise me. I expect it after living here for more than 30 years.

We also encountered dozens of people that said they are fed up with the two major parties. I came away believing – sensing even – that the tide for Libertarians has turned. Now, I will receive votes because I’m a Libertarian, not despite being one.

Long story short: Despite the deep divisions that the media creates through sensationalism, I went home exhilarated. It was one of the most hopeful days I had enjoyed in politics since volunteering for my first campaigns when I was 16-years-old, in 1972. It was a day of kind, thoughtful and peaceful exchanges about political outlooks, families, work – and yes, the state of our nation.

For that, I thank my Caldwell County neighbors.

Read the original article on the Appalachian Chronicle