--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason I first ran for the state…" description: "\"The reason I first ran for the state legislature didn't start in a courtroom or in a lobbying firm or anywhere near Richmond, to be honest. It started ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/107/ralph-northam-6333_chesapeake-bay_the-reason-i-first-ran-for-the-state-leg_1888520.jpg" --- # The reason I first ran for the state legislature didn't… ![“The reason I first ran for the state legislature didn't start in a courtroom or in a lobbying firm or anywhere near Richmond, to be honest. It started in a little town on the Eastern Shore where I grew up on my family's farm and spent a lot of time fishing and working on the Chesapeake Bay.” quote by Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/107/ralph-northam-6333_chesapeake-bay_the-reason-i-first-ran-for-the-state-leg_1888520.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/107/ralph-northam-6333_chesapeake-bay_the-reason-i-first-ran-for-the-state-leg_1888520.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/107/ralph-northam-6333_chesapeake-bay_the-reason-i-first-ran-for-the-state-leg_1888520.jpg) > “The reason I first ran for the state legislature didn't start in a courtroom or in a lobbying firm or anywhere near Richmond, to be honest. It started in a little town on the Eastern Shore where I grew up on my family's farm and spent a lot of time fishing and working on the Chesapeake Bay.” [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He was motivated by personal, rural roots and connection to the environment rather than political institutions. **In simple terms:** He ran because of his upbringing by the bay. Key Takeaway Let personal background guide public service. Themes public service environment rural values political motivation Mood reflective determined Type political personal. When to use this quote - campaign launch - policy advocacy - environmental legislation Key Concepts community identity environmental stewardship grassroots activism Questions to Reflect On - How does personal history shape policy priorities? - Can rural perspectives influence urban legislation? A Different Perspective May lack political experience; balancing local interests with statewide demands. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chesapeake bay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chesapeake-bay/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Legislature Didn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislature-didn-754945/) [Lobbying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lobbying/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Richmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richmond/) [Richmond Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richmond-honest-2712476/) [Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Working Chesapeake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-chesapeake-2712475/) ## Related quotes > [You know, to preserve our job-friendly climate the Texas legislature didn't raise taxes this last legislative session while balancing their budget and maintaining their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/you-know-to-preserve-our-job-friendly-climate-the-texas-legislature/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [When my wife Pam and I got home from our deployment overseas, we settled down in Hampton Roads. We wanted to be close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/when-my-wife-pam-and-i-got-home-from-our-deployment-overseas-we/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I grew up on the Eastern Shore with the Chesapeake Bay as my backyard - name a job out on the water, and I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-grew-up-on-the-eastern-shore-with-the-chesapeake-bay-as-my-backyard/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [The funding of rural roads is imperative if we want to continue to grow our economy and improve the overall health of our vast,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-funding-of-rural-roads-is-imperative-if-we-want-to-continue-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Virginians deserve someone in Richmond who will always have their back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/virginians-deserve-someone-in-richmond-who-will-always-have-their-back/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Wine is a chemical symphony. and The Aesthetic differentiation of Chesapeake Bay oysters and Olympia oysters occurs only after we can really differentiate them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-amerine/wine-is-a-chemical-symphony-and-the-aesthetic-differentiation-of/) [Maynard Amerine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-amerine/) > [“When the couple rode by the shore one day, John became so enraged at Fidelia that he drove their carriage straight into Chesapeake Bay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/when-the-couple-rode-by-the-shore-one-day-john-became-so-enraged-at/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“Today's water arguments reflect a growing unease about how to proceed when old certainties are being pushed aside and new options seem limited or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-prud-homme/today-s-water-arguments-reflect-a-growing-unease-about-how-to-proceed/) [Alex Prud'Homme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-prud-homme/) > [My capital budget maintains my commitment to the education of children, health of the Chesapeake Bay, and safety of all Maryland citizens. We will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ehrlich/my-capital-budget-maintains-my-commitment-to-the-education-of/) [Bob Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ehrlich/) > [Delaware River Power Squadron is dedicated to boating safety through education and civic activities in several locations in Philadelphia while also serving the boating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brady/delaware-river-power-squadron-is-dedicated-to-boating-safety-through/) [Robert Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brady/) > [Do not tell me that we're not drilling. We're drilling all over this country. I mean, I guess there's some - there are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/do-not-tell-me-that-we-re-not-drilling-we-re-drilling-all-over-this/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“Chebeague Island is the largest of the islands in Casco Bay, near Portland Maine. Everyone knew everybody else on the island, and if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/chebeague-island-is-the-largest-of-the-islands-in-casco-bay-near/) [Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/) > [Israel is slightly smaller than New Jersey. Moses in effect led the tribes of Israel out of the District of Columbia, parted Chesapeake Bay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/israel-is-slightly-smaller-than-new-jersey-moses-in-effect-led-the/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“Huzzah! Free Trade and Sailors' Rights! But instead American ships are captured and sailors impressed by the thousands into the British Navy, becoming slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-j-hubinger/huzzah-free-trade-and-sailors-rights-but-instead-american-ships-are/) [Bert J. Hubinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-j-hubinger/) > [There's just a law to the universe. We can have the San Andreas rip tonight. You've nothing to do with that. We could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-drudge/there-s-just-a-law-to-the-universe-we-can-have-the-san-andreas-rip/) [Matt Drudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-drudge/) ## More by Ralph Northam > [I do feel very strongly about my values and principles, but at the end of day I'm open-minded and I enjoy listening to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-do-feel-very-strongly-about-my-values-and-principles-but-at-the-end/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [The supply chain industry in our Commonwealth continues to gain momentum, in large part due to The Port of Virginia's unparalleled infrastructure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-supply-chain-industry-in-our-commonwealth-continues-to-gain/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Mandatory minimums are focused on punishment, not rehabilitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/mandatory-minimums-are-focused-on-punishment-not-rehabilitation/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [The death penalty system is fundamentally flawed - it is inequitable, ineffective, and it has no place in this Commonwealth or this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-death-penalty-system-is-fundamentally-flawed-it-is-inequitable/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [As a small business owner myself, I understand what it is like to scale up a business in the early years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/as-a-small-business-owner-myself-i-understand-what-it-is-like-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [In order to attract and retain new businesses in rural and economically depressed regions of Virginia, we need to provide competitive incentives to entrepreneurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/in-order-to-attract-and-retain-new-businesses-in-rural-and/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I want to incentivize people to really have good health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-want-to-incentivize-people-to-really-have-good-health/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Virginians deserve civility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/virginians-deserve-civility/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I grew up hunting and fishing, as did my family. But then I served in the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-grew-up-hunting-and-fishing-as-did-my-family-but-then-i-served-in/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [We've lost leaders from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King, Jr. and countless others who have worked to bend the arc of the universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-ve-lost-leaders-from-abraham-lincoln-to-martin-luther-king-jr-and/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [After high school, I attended the Virginia Military Institute and then Eastern Virginia Medical School - both great public schools that prepared me well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/after-high-school-i-attended-the-virginia-military-institute-and-then/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [We all have experiences that fundamentally shape who we are, that change the way we look at the world and what we work toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/we-all-have-experiences-that-fundamentally-shape-who-we-are-that/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Every year, I volunteer with Remote Area Medical mobile clinics to provide care to folks in rural Virginia. They do incredible work. But I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/every-year-i-volunteer-with-remote-area-medical-mobile-clinics-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Pregnancies spaced too closely together lead to increased rates of infant mortality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/pregnancies-spaced-too-closely-together-lead-to-increased-rates-of/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [I've been a practicing physician for over 30 years. Every day, I get to wake up and do a job I love - it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-ve-been-a-practicing-physician-for-over-30-years-every-day-i-get-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) [Explore all 99 Ralph Northam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) ## More Chesapeake bay quotes > [There's just a law to the universe. We can have the San Andreas rip tonight. You've nothing to do with that. We could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-drudge/there-s-just-a-law-to-the-universe-we-can-have-the-san-andreas-rip/) [Matt Drudge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-drudge/) > [“Huzzah! Free Trade and Sailors' Rights! But instead American ships are captured and sailors impressed by the thousands into the British Navy, becoming slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-j-hubinger/huzzah-free-trade-and-sailors-rights-but-instead-american-ships-are/) [Bert J. Hubinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-j-hubinger/) > [Israel is slightly smaller than New Jersey. Moses in effect led the tribes of Israel out of the District of Columbia, parted Chesapeake Bay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/israel-is-slightly-smaller-than-new-jersey-moses-in-effect-led-the/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“Chebeague Island is the largest of the islands in Casco Bay, near Portland Maine. Everyone knew everybody else on the island, and if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/chebeague-island-is-the-largest-of-the-islands-in-casco-bay-near/) [Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/) > [The funding of rural roads is imperative if we want to continue to grow our economy and improve the overall health of our vast,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/the-funding-of-rural-roads-is-imperative-if-we-want-to-continue-to/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [Do not tell me that we're not drilling. We're drilling all over this country. I mean, I guess there's some - there are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/do-not-tell-me-that-we-re-not-drilling-we-re-drilling-all-over-this/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Delaware River Power Squadron is dedicated to boating safety through education and civic activities in several locations in Philadelphia while also serving the boating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brady/delaware-river-power-squadron-is-dedicated-to-boating-safety-through/) [Robert Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brady/) > [My capital budget maintains my commitment to the education of children, health of the Chesapeake Bay, and safety of all Maryland citizens. We will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ehrlich/my-capital-budget-maintains-my-commitment-to-the-education-of/) [Bob Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ehrlich/) > [“Today's water arguments reflect a growing unease about how to proceed when old certainties are being pushed aside and new options seem limited or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-prud-homme/today-s-water-arguments-reflect-a-growing-unease-about-how-to-proceed/) [Alex Prud'Homme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-prud-homme/) > [“When the couple rode by the shore one day, John became so enraged at Fidelia that he drove their carriage straight into Chesapeake Bay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/when-the-couple-rode-by-the-shore-one-day-john-became-so-enraged-at/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [Wine is a chemical symphony. and The Aesthetic differentiation of Chesapeake Bay oysters and Olympia oysters occurs only after we can really differentiate them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-amerine/wine-is-a-chemical-symphony-and-the-aesthetic-differentiation-of/) [Maynard Amerine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-amerine/) > [You are very fortunate to be assigned to duty at Fortress Monroe on Chesapeake Bay; it is just the season for soft shelled crabs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winfield-scott/you-are-very-fortunate-to-be-assigned-to-duty-at-fortress-monroe-on/) [Winfield Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winfield-scott/) > [“By the numbers, Accomack could look like a desolate place to live. The Opportunity Index, a nonprofit measurement of sixteen different indicators of success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-hesse/by-the-numbers-accomack-could-look-like-a-desolate-place-to-live-the/) [Monica Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-hesse/) > [I grew up on the Eastern Shore with the Chesapeake Bay as my backyard - name a job out on the water, and I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-northam/i-grew-up-on-the-eastern-shore-with-the-chesapeake-bay-as-my-backyard/) [Ralph Northam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-northam/) > [“Our house stood within a few rods of the Chesapeake Bay, whose broad bosom was ever white with sails from every quarter of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/our-house-stood-within-a-few-rods-of-the-chesapeake-bay-whose-broad/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) [Browse all 20 Chesapeake bay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chesapeake-bay/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The reason I first ran for the state legislature didn't start in a courtroom or in a lobbying firm or anywhere near Richmond, to be honest. 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