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Good evening fellow Democrats, I am writing this this evening to announce my candidacy for the Clinton, IA city council. Politics have interested me for a very long time. I can remember sitting with my parents watching George Bush Sr. make his case against Bill Clinton and Ross Perot. I remember thinking to myself "these people are shady, shifty, and want to ruin this country for their own political agenda." But the more I watched, the more I understood what was happening. The more I began to care about what was happening. The more I watched, the more I began to understand Bill Clinton's point of view. I saw a man who believed in America. A man who wanted what was best for America.
I began going to his gatherings, listening to him, getting excited about his candidacy. I hugged his wife - little did I realize that that embrace was something that would catapult my love for America and my love for politics. I volunteered heavily on Bill Clinton's campaign at the age of 11 and again at the age of 15 as he battled the relentless Bob Dole.
As time progressed I attained voting age and the first election I would experience would be the fiasco we know as the Election of 2000. I became the manager of the Clinton County Democrats, hitting the pavement for candidates and organizing meetings and volunteers. I was partly responsible for organizing Al Gore's visit to Clinton and am proud to say that the good Democrats of Clinton County carried the state's votes for Gore.
In 2001 I became interested in local politics and grass-roots campaigns. I saw an underdog running for mayor and wanted to do all I could to assist her in attaining the position because I believed in her. She did not win, but I garnered an amazing insight into local politics and the hatred that an African American Woman would experience in attempting to see her childhood dream come to fruition.
In 2002 I met a man named Denny Heath. Mr. Heath was running for United States Congress in our district. He refused to accept special interest money and I admired that about him quite frankly. Unfortunately, due to an immense lack of funds his campaign fell short of winning. However, under my strategic suggestion, we were able to increase his numbers from .5% of the district voting for him to an astonishing 4 percent.
As I worked on the Denny Heath campaign, I met a man named Dave Nagle whom some of you may know was an ex-congressman for the state of Iowa. A good man, he and I hit it off despite being from rival campaigns. When the campaign trail was over, Mr. Nagle, his wife and I became closer friends and to this day we stay in contact as do Denny Heath and I.
In 2003 I decided to join with the John Kerry campaign. I volunteered for the man relentlessly and was exceedingly excited to see him win the Iowa Caucus. I was a co-precinct captain for him during the caucus and am proud to say that we won our precinct and our city with an overwhelming number of voters. To this day I root John on and hope that he will carry through to the end.
Now it is 2004 and I am simply waiting until Iowa's primaries to begin my volunteer work once again for John Kerry. Currently, I am serving as a Delegate for John Kerry and serve on the Clinton County Platform Committee.
As of Tuesday, January 27th, 2004 I have been endorsed by Chet Culver, Iowa's Secretary of State.
Who am I?
My name is Timothy Hart Judd. I grew up in a poor family. Unfortunately, due to the war in Viet Nam, my father experienced horrendous mood swings that were caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to this he was often out of work and we would be forced to relocate to another location. One of the major positive things that came from this was a very strong sense of family. We have stayed connected through any amount of stress or negativity and I am proud of my father despite his difficulties.
My father is currently 100% disabled due to his exposure to Agent Orange and the wounds he incurred in battle. My father has received the silver rose award as well as a purple heart. A medic in Viet Nam attached to the Marines, he learned a sense of pride for his nation, for his home, and has passed that on to me. I am forever thankful for the veterans of America and will not rest until they are taken care of the way our country had promised to. I will never forget.
My mother was a very active young woman, running the HartBeats baton core in Clinton, IA and receiving an acclaimed recognition in the Who's who of baton twirling. She spent her life teaching young children not only how to twirl the baton, but how to attain self-confidence and self-discipline. She also worked as a drug abuse counselor for the Quad City Downs in the 80s. She has two degrees, one in Interior Design and the other in Public Relations. It wasn't until the last few years where her active lifestyle caught up to her, disabling her and sending her to a wheel chair. Since she has been disabled I have seen how mistreated these people can be. It is a rare occurrence to see a public location be handicapped accessible as it should be and we have encountered countless problems in this arena. She has been my rock and my pillar of strength and I am thankful for all she has done for me.
I believe in the fair treatment of humanity and am running for office not in an effort to attain status or power, but to help as many people as I can. I will not rest until people have fair working conditions, a livable minimum wage, a good prescription drug program, fair treatment of the elderly, and an undying respect for those who have served our nation.
I am twenty-two years old currently, twenty-four when the election occurs in 2005. This is the start to a long journey, a journey where I will fight tirelessly for the people of Clinton, the people of Iowa, the people of the nation and the people of the world, in whatever capacity that means. I will not end until people are treated fairly and equally. I will be there for you.
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