On December 12, 2011, Jacob Turk entered Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, stood before a microphone and asked those who had gathered before him, “Has our economic outlook improved over the past year? Have we revived the job market? Has our national debt declined? Unfortunately, the answer to all three questions is No.”
Turk then announced he would be challenging Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s hold on Missouri’s Fifth District for a fourth time.
You read that right. Jacob Turk has run for Congress three times before and lost, each time against Emanuel Cleaver.
That hasn’t dissuaded Turk in the slightest. In fact, he’s more optimistic than ever.
“The reality of the situation is, each time we have gained a bigger percentage of the vote and each time we’ve raised more money,” Turk said on my podcast All American Radio.
In 2006, the first time he challenged Cleaver, he raised only $32,000. In 2008, he ran his campaign on $57,000. Then came 2010.
“People really started looking into me as a candidate and as a person and decided I was the kind of person they wanted in Congress. Towards the end of the election, we had been pushing a noodle for all this time, knowing we could beat Cleaver, knowing he was vulnerable, but people just, because the media kept telling them it wasn’t possible, they just couldn’t quite believe it. Well, they finally believed it with about four weeks to go in the election cycle.”
In one night, Turk brought in $64,000, more than he ran his entire campaign on two years before. In all, his campaign raised $261,000. Cleaver still won the election, but he had to spend $607,000 to do it.
Then, feeling threatened, Cleaver spent political capital to have Missouri’s Fifth District drawn so that Turk’s house was no longer in the district.
“That is the story that we have heard, and it’s been from multiple sources that that was his one request, that our house no longer be in the Fifth District. And if you look at the map, because people scratch their heads and go, ‘Why did they draw it that way?’ Well once they find out where we live it makes a lot more sense to them.”
One can only imagine that Cleaver was unaware the Constitution allows citizens to run for Congressional seats in different districts, as long as they move to the district before taking office. Perhaps Cleaver thought it would be enough to keep Turk out of the race.
It wasn’t.
Turk took a trip to Washington, DC in August of 2011 and spoke with “political experts,” “party people,” and “conservative organizations.” After telling them about the 2010 race and Cleaver’s move to map the district around his house, there was only one answer.
“Political professionals were like, ‘Wow. If he is that scared of you, you have to run again.’”
Cleaver has good reason to be scared. In 2008, Turk lost by 88,000 votes. In 2010, he was only 17,000 behind. Granted, 2008 was a big year for Democrats and 2010 an election dominated by the Tea Party. 2012 is up for grabs. If Republicans can motivate the base to turn out to vote against a second term for Obama, it could translate to big wins down ticket for people like Jacob Turk.
Turk also has the added benefit of early financial support this time around.
“Not only did people want us to run, they said they’d cut a check early for us. And they were true to their word. As of December 31, we had raised ten times more than we had two years ago at the same time.”
Specifically, he had raised $114,964, more than he ran his first two campaigns on, combined.
Things finally seem to be coming together for Turk, and 2012 could be the year he finally wins, removing a lying, race baiting, Communist sympathizer from office and replacing him with conservative Marine Corps veteran.
For the sake of Missouri’s Fifth, and the country, I hope it is.
Cross posted at Right Wing News.
This is incredibly exciting. Kansas City MUST expel Cleaver from office so that we can have honest, accountable, fiscally conservative representation in Congress! Jacob Turk is the only candidate capable of defeating the Democrat political machine. If you have a tough job, send in a Marine. Turk for Congress!
This is Turk’s year!! Not only the people of Missouri’s 5th District, but concerned citizens of the entire United States need an HONEST person to replace Cleaver!! Jacob Turk needs your support! This conservative will get in and get the job done! It is time to get rid of Cleaver!
This is Turk’s year!! Not only the people of Missouri’s 5th District, but concerned citizens of the entire United States need an HONEST person to replace Cleaver!! Jacob Turk needs your support! This conservative will get in and get the job done! It is time to get rid of Cleaver!
[...] Cross posted at All American Blogger. [...]
This is our golden opportunity! Emanuel Cleaver is the last liberal democrat congressman in the region, let’s give him the boot and send Jacob Turk to Washington!
Jacob is a great guy! I am glad to see Missouri finally getting to know him and backing him!
I know Jacob, and I know he has integrity. I know he will keep his word and support ALL of his constituents no matter which part of the district they live in. I have a feeling if you polled 5th district supporters outside of the inner-city core, few of them would agree that Cleaver has their best interests at heart. It’s time for someone who looks beyond skin color and keeps his oath to represent ALL of us.
Jacob Turk is the best man to represent the folks of Missouri’s 5th district. We need elected offices who stand up for the people and not special interest groups!
I know Jacob Turk and he is truly a man of integrity. I think the only reason he hasn’t won before is that the people didn’t know enough about him. Jacob will represent the people of the 5th district and the Constitution. He will be a breath of fresh air in Congress. Turk 2012!
As a member of the 5th district, I’m beyond thrilled to have a candidate for office that will actually represent the people! We are so weary and tired of having a representative that will not listen to his constituents. Jacob understands the job at hand, he understands and has the integrity needed to perform his duties well and the drive to make a difference!
The planets are not “aligning” for Jacob Turks 4th run at Missouri’s 5th congressional district. Stating that the district lines were redrawn so as to not include Turk’s house in not the truth and it is irresponsible to report it as such. It was actually the Republican run legislature’s decision to redraw the district lines, it had nothing to do with Cleaver being scared of Turk…why would he be, Cleaver has beaten him 3 times. The amount of money a campaign has does not equal winning an election, shouldn’t we be focusing more substance and not money? Every time I read an article about, or hear an interview with, Jacob Turk all they focus on is campaign money. Isn’t this lack of substance the problem with politicians today? Jason Greene, who is also running for Missouri’s 5th Congressional seat, has garnered national attention and support yet gets much less media coverage. Jason is a candidate that supports real change and limited government. Why isn’t “All American Blogger” writing and article about candidates, such as Jason Greene, who actually supports limited government and true conservative values? Candidates like Jason Greene are this state’s, and this country’s, future. Can we please see more articles about candidates like Jason Greene that deal with substance and not just articles about Turk that have no substance and talk about campaign donations? This article didn’t even talk about Turks stance on the issues.
Agreed!
I agree with Havilah. Turk has had his chances and I do not see the trend ending. He will not be able to penetrate the urban core, which is what any potential representative will have to do to win the 5th district. I am sorry, but he falls flat on getting the message of true conservatism across. All that is heard from him is talking points and lack of substance. I want a candidate that has strength and clarity in their convictions and political stances. That is why my vote is going to Jason Greene. If you have a chance, check him out for yourself on his website GreeneforCongress.com. He has a clear and strong stance on true conservative ideals that the Republican Party once stood for.
Modern times require modern leaders. Unfortunately, Mr.
Turk fails to meet the new demands of the changing world as a candidate. The
youthful energy that is driving the Republican Party in a new and more
appealing direction is only reflected in Jason Greene within the 5th
congressional district. Turk has had 3 shots, and has proven 3 times that he
cannot win. If history tells a tale of the future, then it is telling us now
that Greene is the only candidate that can restore America’s promise.
http://www.facebook.com/greeneforcongress#!/pages/Jason-Greene-for-Congress/245273045516679
http://www.greeneforcongress.com/