By Suz Seymour 

I’ve been called a lot of things in my political life, but this has to be one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever read in print: “Long Shot”. 

That phrase has got me laughing especially since the ones calling me that have done they could to ignore my candidacy. But I take great strength from knowing that just this year, the Kentucky Derby winner was actually the last chance bet…and won. “The Long Shot That Could” might have made a better title for the article, but I digress.

As an Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives here in Vermont, I’m going up against the two party system, a.k.a. Democrat Representative Becca Balint, Republican Challenger Gerald Malloy and other independent candidates who have thrown their hat in the ring. At least the Kentucky Derby prints all the contenders in the program before you bet!

After trying for months to get my campaign in the mainstream press, or to be heard in any debates, I finally succeeded in being a participant at the Town Meeting TV forum last Tuesday in Burlington. All the candidates except for two were there and you guessed it… one was our Incumbent Becca Balint, who chose not to attend and spar with the rest of the people who officially are on the ballot. 

And here is the rest of the story: I’m making waves and being featured inthe weekly newspaper Seven Days because of an AI cartoon made in response to being shut out of the mainstream debates. In the particular video mentioned in the story, “Independent Suz and the Two-Party Debate“, I challenge Balint to a duel, “a duel of words”.  It was a very creative way to capture viewership in a world that has trouble focusing on more than a sentence or two at a time, or watch a reel for more than 3 seconds on social media. 

My cartoon self was also featured in another video regarding the “Temple of the 2-Party System“, encouraging us to think about how  independent voices are kept down from emerging, or discouraged to become any part of political races. My campaign has been nothing but positive and refreshing; and for politics, that’s saying something!

The Publisher of said newspaper sent an email out to readership with a link titled:”Egregious AI Ad Slop“. Slop? Are we discussing swine, farms or what’s being served in the middle school cafeterias?  

All joking aside, the videos were done with creativity, humor and wit. I wrote them as a fresh and unique critique of what my personal experiences have been thus far. But as one can imagine, the newspaper couldn’t help themselves and elevated the discussion of AI to a fever pitch as the story culminates to other “conservative” content creators, both that have used satirical AI ads in a less than positive context.

As a person who understands technology is a tool, I believe any tool can be used for good purposes, or subsequently, for bad. Which is why I felt very confident using AI to make these ads for the campaign. We must balance out HOW and WHY we use technology. I don’t even own a TV, for goodness sake! I still use a landline. I only bought a dishwasher when I moved into my new home. And none of the appliances are *Smart* devices.  So you could say, I use technology sparingly.  And appropriately.

Like it or not, AI is here and we can find ways to use it for the greater good. In fact, it’s already catapulted me into the spotlight in this last week before the election. Independent Suz has arrived!  “Slop” doesn’t describe the content of my character or my videos…but you, dear reader, can discern that for yourselves. 

This “Long Shot” has every hope you will.

Suzanne “Suz” Seymour is a small business owner, massage therapist, stand-up comedian and is running as an Independent for U.S. Congress. Learn more at :www.ruokvt.com