Things that Make Campaigning Worthwhile

There are moments, especially when someone steps into a political campaign for the first time, when the neophyte candidate begins to question the very decision to enter such a demanding and accountable arena.

In my case, countless hours spent building a campaign website, distributing signs, attending events, engaging with residents, and managing everything else that comes with a run for office quickly take over one’s life. The usual routines and responsibilities inevitably get pushed aside.

A kind of hyper‑vigilance settles in, prompting the candidate to scrutinize every action and every outcome with relentless self‑evaluation.

And yes, at times, the question creeps in: Is all of this truly worthwhile?

My answer, without hesitation, is yes.

Regardless of the final result, I’ve received thoughtful feedback from many people about my platform and the way I’ve approached this campaign. Those interactions have made the experience genuinely rewarding.

I’d like to share one recent comment:

“While researching where the candidates stand, I found that Chris Oram has been doing some serious deep dives into many of the important issues. He is doing his homework and comes across as very level‑headed and reasonable. My wife and I both agreed Chris was someone we could support and ordered one of his lawn signs. Chris delivered the sign personally and instead of just sticking it in the lawn, he knocked on the door and thanked us for the support. We spent the next hour talking in our driveway. He listened to our concerns and he talked about what he hoped to achieve for the city. When he left, the first thing my wife said was ‘I like him. He listens.’ If you don’t know much about Chris, I suggest you take a look on his website. He is a serious candidate and I hope to see him elected to council.”

There have been many other comments along the way, some of which I’ve added to my testimonials page.

Infrastructure, growth, and financial stewardship are the reasons I chose to run. These are the foundational issues that shape every other challenge and opportunity in our city.

I know some people assume my career in law enforcement makes me a “one‑trick pony,” but that overlooks the broader experience policing actually gave me: labour relations, arbitration, negotiation, problem‑solving, and many other skills not always visible from the outside.

Beyond frontline policing, I spent considerable time serving as President of the Sarnia Police Association, the Sarnia‑Lambton Children’s Aid Society, police pensioners’ organizations, and a range of committees and boards.

These roles demanded leadership, diplomacy, accountability, and the ability to navigate complex systems all essential qualities for a City Councillor. I would submit that this diverse background has prepared me well to serve the people of Sarnia.

And although voting has only just begun, the “votes of confidence” I’ve received throughout this campaign, like the one I highlighted above, have already made the journey worthwhile. They reinforce why I entered this race and validate that the approach I’ve taken is connecting with people.

That said, I would be honoured to earn your support at the polls, because in the end, your vote is what truly shapes the future of our city.

Chris Oram