When you look up the word “centrist,” a definition you may find may say, “a person who has moderate political views.” When you look up the word “moderate,” you may find the definition, “avoiding extremes, being reasonable.” Other synonyms for centrist are “middle-of-the-road,” “non-radical,” “equitable,” and “nonpartisan.” However, if you were to think about adjectives to describe the state of politics today, none of these words would apply. So how is it that a Houston City Council Member has been able to find success as a centrist?
Edward Pollard, 37, is a lawyer and founder of the nonprofit, Suits for Success, who is also making a name for himself as a centrist elected official in Houston, Texas, the nation’s fourth largest city. The city council position he holds is actually voted on through a nonpartisan ballot, meaning candidates do not have to designate if they are a Democrat or Republican, although many still try to make the race partisan during their campaigns. Since the American system of government is basically operated by a major two-party system, people naturally have gravitated to one side or the other, making the determination of which side you choose to be on a deciding factor on if they will support you or not. This two-party system has created a “them vs. us,” “me vs. you” mentality that seems to do nothing but divide.
Council Member Pollard is defying the odds by refusing to be boxed in on one side or the other. He makes it a point to not be predisposed to any issue, but rather waits to listen to each side and each perspective before deciding which side he supports. He can be seen routinely in the evenings going to a meeting for Democrats, then leaving and going to a meeting for Republicans. What started with many people in both political parties being skeptical about his approach, over time they have begun to truly appreciate his willingness to listen and be engaged regardless of the policy being discussed. He has seen this willingness to be independent with his thought as the foundation of developing many beneficial relationships with people of all walks of life who have a varied political ideology.
Pollard prides himself as being a leader in what he calls “the new wave” of politics striving to get more people closer to the middle in an attempt for real progress. With just one glimpse at his social media pages you can see that Pollard stays active within his community and pushes initiatives that transcend partisan politics and solely focuses on people, regardless of who they are or what they believe. When discussing the issues that are most important to his constituents, he often says, “Those potholes could care less if you are a Democrat or Republican. No matter if you are a D or R, you want your trash picked up on time, your parks clean, your streets drivable, your community safe, and your tax dollars spent wisely.”
With such a positive attitude and a passion to serve all people, it is not hard to understand why there is a buzz in Houston about Pollard one day being elected to higher office. If he continues to win people over with his centrist approach, he may be able to show others how to succeed politically with bipartisan support and begin to move people closer together for the benefit of us all.
