Has anyone else noticed that John Gard’s campaign for the 8th Congressional District seat has been racking up what seems to be an endorsement a day this week? I suppose when you’re a top-targeted House race that’s what happens, but it should be considered impressive none the less.
June 2, Wisconsin Grocers Association: “Given his solid record of supporting our industry, it was a no-brainer for our board to vote to endorse his candidacy for the 8th Congressional District.â€
June 12, Brown County Homebuilders Association: “As homebuilders, families count on us to get the job done right so that their house may become a home. Likewise, we know we can count on John to get the job done right in Congress so that northeastern Wisconsin remains a place where they want to keep their homes.”
June 14, U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “In our experience working with John, he has proven to be an exceptionally effective and capable leader, someone who acts with integrity and great foresight when it comes to keeping local economies in northeastern Wisconsin strong. We need more leaders like John Gard in Washington.â€
June 20: Wisconsin Restaurant Association: “It is important for restaurant owners to have a representative in Washington who will fight for initiatives that support local economies and give Wisconsin a competitive edge. Given his proven track record of getting things done, we know we are in good hands with John Gard.â€
June 22: Wisconsin Troopers Association, a union representing the Wisconsin State Patrol’s officers: “We feel John Gard has assembled an impressive record of support for the Wisconsin State Patrol and the citizens of Wisconsin.”
June 23: Community Bankers of Wisconsin: “John Gard’s work ethic, honesty, and commitment to small businesses will make him a tremendous representative in Washington for the people of Northeastern Wisconsin.â€
It’s not just groups, it’s people too. Within the last month both Tommy Thompson (“John will be a great Congressman, and we needed leaders like that in Washington.”) and Packers legend Bart Starr came on board.
Now, there are those of you reading who will say “Ba. Humbug. This just proves John Gard is the establishment candidate.” Let me reply simply by saying that what you call establishment, others would rightly call experience. It should be a praiseworthy thing that organizations Gard has worked with for this many years, and not always voting how they’d like, have such a depth of respect for him.
Reviewing this list of endorsements, I think two things consistently stand out.
One: John Gard will Get the Job Done. Reading the releases, you see over and over again that John Gard listens to people, that he acts on their concerns, and that he follows up with them. When constituents and community organizations and business have problems, John Gard finds solutions.
Two: John Gard will Bring the Jobs Home. Want to know who the job creators are? Small businesses, like your neighborhood grocery store, the men who built your home, and your local community bank. Big businesses, anchors of communities like Thrivent Financial and Marinette Marine. Want to know who the job creators are supporting for his committment to government policies that enable job creators to create more jobs? John Gard.
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John Gard. Getting the Job Done. Bringing the Jobs Home.
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Thats great Dan and you’re right about the endorsements. However, Bob Welch ran for US Senate and got quite a few including endorsements from Legislators in Madison…. He was last in the primary because the people went out and voted Michels. Not to stir sour eggs, because thats probably what that election was. Who decides the endorsement… the members of those associations or a few people on a board? Yes, John has gotten a few endorsements from four statewide associations, hats off to him and best of luck. Endorsements aren’t enough to win a primary. Sure they help, but its far too early to declare a winner.
You are right that Bob Welch did get the endorsements of many GOP legislators and still lost the primary for US Senate. I think that is different though, because he was competing on an uneven playing field (an experienced long-time colleague of the leggies versus two outsiders), whereas here both candidates can make an even appeal for support. Second, Welch was running for US Senate, so the legislators did not have a lot of incentive to invest in his campaign beyond lending their names. In this case, however, because the 8th is such a hotly contested seat on the national radar screen, I am sure these groups will invest energy and money in making sure Speaker Gard takes the win home.
I guess we’ll see… sometimes endorsements are nothing more than a “Hi I’m so and so, here is my list of endorsements so vote for me”.
I’d rather see resume items from the candidate than endorsements. Not sure about anyone else.
Gard’s endorsements don’t mean jack. I’ve talked to several staunch Republicans that will be voting Democrat this time around if Gard wins the primary. Anyone who knows anything about Gard does not like him. He can count on the mindless zombies who always vote Republican to go his way and that’s about it. The primary will be closer than you think and I wouldn’t be suprised one bit if McCormick takes it.
Your view that Republicans are good for small business is nothing but a huge fallacy. Republicans cut small business loan programs, they cut subsidies for small farms trying to keep up with the larger industrial farms, they refuse to raise the minimum wage which is keeping people in poverty, and they continue their “say one thing and do another” approach to politics. I am a conservative who will continue to vote for Democrats until the Republicans learn to practice what they preach.