I met Thibodeau in July 2002. I was on the ballot for US House against Rahm Emanuel in November 2002. Thibodeau's plight was most definitely among my motivations for going that far. I also ran 2 more times, almost winning the 3rd, in a completely different region of the country, on a shoestring budget, and with almost no help, and without going a penny into debt.

Experiences like his were my reason for picking up the torch and doing what I could.