Since I lost the election a postmortem seems called for, if you will indulge me. No matter how successful you have been, the human ego is a fragile thing. I have already been a board member, mayor pro tem, and acting mayor. This was my third election cycle here in Lyons and the first in which I lost. Winning is more fun.

I talked with the head of the Metro Mayors Caucus before deciding to run. She said, “I have little doubt you’d win in a town of 100,000, where they do not expect to know their mayor. All they see is how you run a meeting, how you write in the paper, how you speak in public, and how you handle the media. But you live in Lyons, and in Lyons people expect to personally know their mayor. They do not know you.” Turns out she was right. Even though my TED Talks have had 10 million views, name recognition was a problem.

I should have known that back in December when I went to the Metro Mayors Caucus Christmas party on a Thursday and spoke at our town’s Christmas tree lighting on a Friday. I realized I knew more people at the mayor’s party than at our own tree lighting.

Another problem I could have anticipated but did not is interesting, and some might find a little controversial. A number of studies show that about three quarters of conservative Christians and Mormons would never consider voting for a transgender candidate. I never think about that here in Boulder County where only 29.4 percent of our population falls into that category. But it still likely made a sizeable difference that would have made the race competitive (114 fewer votes for me and 114 more for my opponent, give or take a few.) If you are an LGBTQ+ candidate and would like the statistics, I can send them to you.

Also, that takes into account only the religious conservatives who would not vote for a trans candidate. We have no idea how many others would fall into that category. I mentioned that to our town administrator and she said, “I never knew Paul. I only know you and I always forget you are transgender.” It is true – and wonderful – but for people who do know I am transgender and do not know me personally, it is a problem. These are not great times to be trans in America.

I was thrilled when I received the endorsement of a lot of leaders, including our state senator, state representative, county commissioners, a dozen Front Range mayors, eight of the last eleven town board members, and our own current and former mayor.

Would I have done anything differently in the campaign? I could have gone door to door, and a lot of people wanted me to do so. But the truth is that I would not go door to door because even in a liberal town like Lyons, it is not safe for a transgender woman to go door to door. We are never safe.

It could be that my gender had little to do with things. It could be that Mark was just better known and a better candidate. His institutional knowledge is unparalleled, and he’s been volunteering in town for fifteen years, while I was out traveling the world speaking and pastoring a church that was not in town.

Mark and I both believe the campaign was a wonderful example of how politics could and should be. A lot of people have noted the civility of our campaign.

Would I do it again? Had I known it would not be a close race, I think not. I would have remained as Mayor Pro Tem, as I could have done for another term. But turning back the clock is still not an option in this universe. And hey, a transgender woman served as Mayor Pro Tem of Lyons, Colorado, and garnered a lot of votes in her run for mayor. That counts for something in these tumultuous times.