Campaign manager learned about politics from “the very best”
Published in the April 13-26, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Swanee Edwards
Swanee Edwards
I met Dennis in 2004 during his sixth and final campaign for mayor. I had just retired from a 27-year career in construction and was looking for something to do.
My first impression was the fact that this man did not fit the mold of a typical politician — not mine anyway. Dennis spoke softly and was thoughtful when answering questions. He was far from the old view I had that a politician was an overweight, cigar smoking bully who was more interested in money than in his constituents. Dennis was far from that persona.
As he spoke about his goals for the campaign, I was immediately struck with the fact that he really, really cared about Morgan Hill and the ordinary folks who lived there. He never uttered a negative word or thought about his opponent. He always remained positive. He lived that attitude every day.
I was a total novice regarding politics, but he became a mentor to me when I became his campaign manager. I learned the political process from the very best. Not only was he honest, but he was compassionate at the same time.
What really caught my attention was his remarkable vision for the future of Morgan Hill. And wow, did he deliver that vision! I have never met anyone who lived and breathed a vision like that. He worked hard and talked to an amazingly diverse groups and citizens before it was “cool” to do that. He invited all of the people to the table. During the following years, I watched this town bloom under his vision. I watched him form the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and many other projects and my respect and awe only deepened.
Even as his wife was losing her battle with health issues, and he lost an assembly campaign, Dennis always had that vision and a big smile whenever he saw you. I was in awe of him, and because of the relationship we shared I became a better judge of character in the political world — and in life in general.
The best of the last memories we made was the fact that we would be talking and laughing during his trips to Stanford Hospital for treatment of his cancer. I would always miss the exits getting there and coming home.
I could go on but one thing is clear to me: I love him and will miss him a great deal. We will all miss Dennis Kennedy, now the mayor of heaven.
