Friends and the U.S. Election

Editor’s note: During this election season, when our political life in the United States seems especially contentious, Friends United Meeting has invited a variety of Friends to share their thoughts on how to navigate as a Quaker through these divided times. Our eighth installment is by Kat Griffith, of Northern Yearly Meeting.Beating Megaphones Into Ear Trumpets*—Being a Friend in This Election Cycle

On my bike ride today I passed by a big new sign that said “Trump 2024 F*** Your Feelings.” I took a picture before continuing on my way—a nudge to think about the query, “What does it mean to be a Friend in this election cycle?”

The thing is, I represent this guy on the county board. And I find that serving in elected office has changed both my vision and my options for Friendly political activism.

The most important thing is that I won’t write him off. When I first ran for office, I was trolled repeatedly until I reached out to the most persistent trolls and offered to hear them out. It turned out that just being listened to took most of the wind out of their sails.

My second race, I was astounded to be warmly greeted on porches by several MAGA Republicans who gushed about my newspaper columns and accessibility and who planned to vote for me. They did, too; in an evenly divided district, 85% of the people who turned out voted for me.

I will bust a gusset for the Harris/Walz ticket, but just as important will be my local commitment to my Republican constituents: to knock on their doors, chat on their porches, hear their stories, and work to earn their trust and their votes even though I can win without them—because I no longer want to win without them. And if the guy with the big sign is ever in sight when I’m biking by, I’ll stop by and introduce myself and see what he’s got to say.

Kat Griffith
Northern Yearly Meeting

* From the poet William Stafford

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