Nelson Mail

I think Donald Trump being elected President of the United States is bad for the world. Trump, I think, will be dangerous and stir up trouble in countries such as Iran. Trump will bring a lot people who were friends of George W Bush into his cabinet. The Americans who voted for Trump are stupid, in my opinion.
On October 31st, I did an interview for the Nelson Evening Mail about writing to famous people from all over the world. I was asked earlier in the year by an old school mate who worked for the Mail and Tim was really impressed with my collection. Tim and I agree that we should do a story about me every year.

Nelson collector hunting for Trump

• Nelson Mail
• 2 Nov 2016
• TIM O'CONNELL

MARION VAN DIJK/FAIRFAX NZ

Antony Cotton with some of his United States political photographs and letters collection, Tim Kaine, left, and Marco Rubio.

Former presidential hopeful Ted Cruz didn’t want to know him, however, vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine was obliging. But it is Donald Trump that Nelson man Antony Cotton really wants.

A letter and photograph from Hillary Clinton’s running mate is the latest addition to the hundreds of prominent personally-signed souvenirs in Cotton’s collection.

He began his hobby of writing to well-known American politicians in 2006 after reading about Senator Edward Kennedy online. Four months later he received a ‘‘huge surprise’’ in the form of a signed photo from the now-deceased younger brother of JFK.

Pleased to get a response from a member of the Kennedy dynasty, Cotton was inspired to continue writing and has since amassed an impressive collection of correspondence from US senators and congress members.

Cotton said having Aspergers Syndrome meant he took a deep interest in certain topics like politics and sport.

He hand-writes each letter and, if necessary, follows up his request with an email to make sure the correspondence was received.

Most requests for a reply are met positively, although he does receive the occasional rejection.

‘‘You do get a few disappointing ones,’’ he said.

‘‘Ted Cruz didn’t want to know me.

‘‘He simply said: ‘you have to live in America to get a letter from me’.’’

One politician who was happy to oblige was Virginia senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine. He sent Cotton a signed photo and a letter on October 13, wishing him all the best for his 35th birthday later that month.

He also recently received a signed photo and letter from Republican senator Marco Rubio having written to his Florida office in September.

‘‘I’m a writing fanatic,’’ he said. ’’I’ll just keep chasing them up, but I want to get one from Trump.’’

From the United States alone, he holds personally addressed correspondence from Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Sarah Palin, outgoing President Barack Obama, for- mer Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and former presidents George W Bush, his father George H.W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Politicians from the UK and Australia have also written to Cotton along with members of the Royal Family and cast members from British TV shows Coronation Street and Eastenders. Cotton hoped to travel to the US one day in the hope of meeting some of his penpals. As for who will be the next leader of the free world, Cotton believed the election would be a close-run event but predicted a win for Hillary Clinton.

‘‘Clinton, like Trump, could be a very dangerous president,’’ he said. ‘‘Trump appeals to the rednecks and the religious right – I would have gone for Tim Kaine.’’