public office

Beyond the immediate spectacle, the episode is a stark reminder that electing principled leaders to office is essential.

Public office is a trust, not personal property.

When an elected official treats a government office like a private possession, going so far as to strip tiles, electrical sockets, and plumbing fixtures, it signals a deep-seated mindset of entitlement rather than public stewardship.

A candidate's personal integrity and respect for government institutions directly dictate how they will conduct themselves in office.

But really learning how to have those discussions and debates in a respectful way, but really also in a meaningful and substantive way.

And I think I can say from my perspective, it served really very well over the course of what now has been a 22-year run in public office and significantly longer in public life.

But You know, but to your question, though, Andrew, doing good, you know, still kind of having some some really interesting work that we're we're working on here right now.

And I've had a had a busy number of months.

And my long-suffering spouse is still tolerating me doing this.

And I'll be running again.

So, you know, kind of that... kind of getting that far into it, it does get kind of more, you know, every election is a bit of a decision about whether you're going to continue along in that realm, because you well know, Andrew, I mean, there are real sacrifices that come along with being in public office, and there's a lot of really positive things that come along with it.

There's a lot of really tough things, too.