I am 35 years old. I work part time at the Library of Virginia, with the Virginia Newspaper Project. This is the fifth campaign I have engaged in since 2002. View previous campaigns here. My current involvement in local government is at the citizen level at Richmond City Council. For several years now, I have been a regular attendee at Richmond City Council meetings. I attend most of City Council's committee meetings and nearly all of their formal bi-monthly meetings. I am the only citizen who is a regular attendee at all these meetings. I speak at most Council meetings to items which I oppose. I attend more committee meetings than any sitting member of Richmond City Council.

I think it is important for citizens to participate in our government. By attending the meetings I am informed by hearing the same reports and presentations members of Council hear. And it is important that government be open to citizen participation and engagement. I view my engagement as a citizen at the Council as my chief qualification for office. I am interested in the political process and it is interesting to me.

I have lived in Richmond since 1990, with the exception of an 18 month period spent in Cleveland, Ohio attending an automotive mechanics' school between 1995 - 96. I graduated from VCU in 1997 with an English degree. I have worked in a variety of occupations since graduating; as a baker, in a copy shop, at several local restaurants, as a carpenter, and in a library.

In 2000, I became a socialist after reading a book entitled, A picture of America; the Photostory of America -- As It Is -- and As it Might Be. Told by the News Camera by Charles Cross. I was further urged into political action by the terrorist attacks of 2001. I refused to simply sit by and I decided the best way to serve my country and my fellow citizens was by participating in the democratic process. And here I am to this day. I represent the engaged citizen, "the little guy", "the dreamer."

I am but a single citizen. I am excercising my right to Free Speech, and I am saying something is very wrong with our society, and we need to fix it. And I am participating in the democratic process. This is the second time my name is to appear on the ballot, first time for a state office. My success is not the result of party mechanizations but the result of my individual effort. Though I maybe able to get on the ballot by myself, I can not win the election without the help and support of individual voters. YOU!

If you like my platform, and my attitude that government ought to be open, more democratic, and representative of poor and working people -- I NEED YOUR HELP. Tell your friends and family about my campaign and my website, www.votesilver.com

Thanks for your help and support.

Yours, Silver Persinger