When I decided to run for State Representative this year, little did I realize that a revolution would be sweeping our nation. The recent defeat of Bob Bennett in Utah and the upcoming establishment defeat in Kentucky at the hands of Rand Paul (http://www.randpaul2010.com) both provide good signs that people are sick and tired of politics as usual.
Many people will vote for a member of their party regardless of who that person is. I have always believed that party labels often get in the way of where individuals truly stand. To me, a Republican should stand for a strong interpretation of the Constitution – as it was intended by our founders. Rand Paul in Kentucky understands this. In New Hampshire, there are several individuals who understand this.
I’ve had a good opportunity to interact with candidates for US House, Governor, US Senator, and more. While I support John Stephen for Governor (http://www.johnstephen.com), Jack Kimball (http://www.jackforgov.com) is an outstanding person. In the US Congressional race in Nashua, I respect both Jennifer Horn (http://www.jenniferhorn.org) and Bob Giuda (http://www.bobgiuda.com). Both would be a welcome change to “politics as usual.” In my home district, I support Frank Guinta (http://www.teamguinta.com) and believe that he “gets” the Constitution.
On the Senate level, there are several individuals with good ideas. I’ve met Jim Bender (http://www.benderforsenate.com) and Bill Binnie (http://www.binnie2010.com). Mr. Binnie seems like a good candidate. Mr. Bender gets support from many of my friends in liberty. Ovide Lamontagne (http://www.ovide2010.com) is also respected by liberty lovers. To me, this is a great “problem” to have. Very rare is it that we have so many great choices to carry the torch of Constitutional government forward. I have invited these gentlemen to the barbecue on June 6th (more at http://www.tinyurl.com/ward2bbq/) with hopes to get to know all of them better and for those in attendance to do the same.
Returning to the original paragraph, it will be Tuesday May 18th where we see the reality of the tea party movement in Kentucky. I strongly believe that the polling numbers showing Rand Paul ahead by double digits will remain the same in the final results. Given a Rand Paul victory, I believe we will see more constitutional candidates come out of the wood work and work in 2010, 2012, and beyond to restore our nation to its founding principles – liberty and freedom for all individuals. It’s certainly a breath of fresh air and I am very optimistic with what I am seeing.
I hope you share that optimism and are supporting candidates in your home town that share your values. I know that if we continue to build these blocks we will continue to see even more success. I plan to make it happen in my neighborhood and in Ward 2, Manchester New Hampshire. Let’s progress towards seeing it through all over our great state and nation!
Very confidently yours in liberty.
Cam
For weeks it had become strongly rumored that John Stephen was going to enter the Republican primary for Governor of New Hampshire. It was exciting news to me as John is someone I have really come to respect – a lot.
Two years ago when I thought about running for the state legislature, John Stephen was one of two politically active individuals (Joe Briggs being the other) who showed a great deal of moral support towards my efforts. This is while other candidates I have supported were much more reserved in supporting my ideals and what I was doing.
John offered to put a sign in his yard during the 2008 primary and his campaign manager at the time was looking at ideas on cross promotion of campaigns had we won our respective primaries. We had several great conversations and I could sense a certain authenticity in John Stephen that I didn’t see every day in politics. Perhaps most disheartening to me at the time was not my failure to advance to the general election in 2008, but it was John Stephen’s loss to Jeb Bradley in the Congressional primary. I believed in John and was behind more as much as I have been behind any candidate for public office.
In 2009, John Stephen continued to be supportive of my efforts. Always complimentary of my efforts, it led to my ultimate excitement to support him for Governor.
Don’t get me wrong, just because John Stephen is a “nice guy” and supports what I have done does not automatically equate to an endorsement. John also has the right views on the issues for New Hampshire. He has worked in state government and knows the ins and outs of the process. He wants to return New Hampshire to the state that it once was. A state where there is no threat – ever – of a state sales or income tax. A state where spending is understood as the real problem and that we need to cut spending in order to survive. John deserves everyone’s support today. His campaign web site is up at http://www.johnstephen.com
Yes, I would agree with my friends that Jack Kimball is an outstanding messenger for smaller government. I would agree that either he or John Stephen would make an outstanding governor. However, John Stephen has proven to me personally that he is a person of integrity and is an individual of great principle.
Please join me in wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supporting John Stephen for Governor of New Hampshire in the September primary.
Thank you!
Cameron DeJong