Hi Everybody!
I've been AWOL for a couple of days because I'm down with the flu or something equally uncomfortable. As a result, there is very little to report. Hopefully, I'll be back in action and on the campaign trail tomorrow.
Thanks for bearing with me. Have an awesome Tuesday evening.
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
573-823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
www.SpenceCampaign.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
This Week's Maneater Article
Hi Everyone!
Here is an article from the Maneater (MU's student newspaper) about last week's "Pizza & Politics with Sean Spence." Doesn't it sound like we had a good time?
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308
www.SpenceCampaign.com
Spence meets with students
By Robby LewisFeb. 8, 2008
Photo/Nick Jewell
State Auditor spokesman Sean Spence knows how to persuade college students to talk about politics with him: free pizza.
Spence led a meeting Thursday and ordered Shakespeare’s Pizza for his supporters to eat while they discussed his campaign for state representative of the 25th district, the seat held by Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia.
Spence, a graduate of MU, said the 25th district affects the entire state because of MU’s position within the district.
“The seat is extremely important because it includes the University of Missouri, which is the most important economic driver of the state,” Spence said. “The university produces the technology on which the future of Missouri should be built. The university is the number one producer of professional research. If we don’t take care of the university our state’s future is pretty bleak.”
Spence said he would not run for this position had Baker not announced that she is considering a run for the Ninth Congressional District seat occupied by Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo.
“Judy Baker has provided incredible representation for this district,” Spence said. “If she were running for re-election I would do everything I could to make sure she was re-elected.”
Spence said people should vote for him because he has vast experience.
“I have a combination of government and business experience that you don’t often see,” Spence said. “I have started businesses and I’ve worked for a Fortune 500 company, I’ve worked for the Missouri state Senate, the Missouri House and I’ve worked for the state auditor. I know how to get things done.”
Spence said it is important to meet the people who are going to vote.
“I go door to door pretty much every day,” Spence said. “The other day it was pouring down rain and I was out there. When it was 10 degrees with wind chill I was out there.”
Spence said MU needs attention in three areas. He said the first area has to do with finances.
“Number one is funding,” Spence said. “This governor and legislature are shifting the burden of education costs onto students and their parents when it should be a shared responsibility of all Missouri citizens.”
He said the second area he will focus on is scientific research.
“MU’s freedom to engage in scientific research is under constant attack,” Spence said. “It’s not just not having enough money. It’s about stem cells and other areas of research where people are using the type of scientific endeavor in determining whether or not the university should get funding.”
Spence said the third area deals with legislators who don’t understand what MU does for Missouri with its esteemed research level.
“MU does a level of research that cannot be matched by any public institution in the state,” Spence said.
Spence said it is important to hear from Columbia’s young people. His campaign manager Noah Kutchin represents just that.
Kutchin, a 19-year-old student at Columbia College, said the job is a great opportunity and a huge learning experience for him.
Kutchin said though Spence doesn’t hold a governmental position, he knows things the other candidates likely do not.
“Even though he doesn’t hold an elective seat, he sees the behind-the-scene things that go on there,” Kutchin said. “He knows the way it works.”
MU graduate Josh Norberg, who is helping with the campaign, said Spence is the best fit for Columbia.
“I think he represents everything this area needs,” Norberg said. “He’s been an MU student and he knows what’s best for the university.”
Norberg said Spence’s desire to know the people he represents shows he would be a good representative.
“You can’t represent people if you don’t know them,” Norberg said. “A passion of Sean’s is to meet people. He wants to meet everyone.”
Spence said running for this position has been a dream of his.
“I have wanted to run for this district since I was 18,” Spence said. “I know a thing or two about this university. More importantly, I know about listening. And this is what this campaign is going to be about.”
####
Here is an article from the Maneater (MU's student newspaper) about last week's "Pizza & Politics with Sean Spence." Doesn't it sound like we had a good time?
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
seanspence@earthlink.net
573-823-1308
www.SpenceCampaign.com
Spence meets with students
By Robby LewisFeb. 8, 2008
Photo/Nick Jewell
State Auditor spokesman Sean Spence knows how to persuade college students to talk about politics with him: free pizza.
Spence led a meeting Thursday and ordered Shakespeare’s Pizza for his supporters to eat while they discussed his campaign for state representative of the 25th district, the seat held by Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia.
Spence, a graduate of MU, said the 25th district affects the entire state because of MU’s position within the district.
“The seat is extremely important because it includes the University of Missouri, which is the most important economic driver of the state,” Spence said. “The university produces the technology on which the future of Missouri should be built. The university is the number one producer of professional research. If we don’t take care of the university our state’s future is pretty bleak.”
Spence said he would not run for this position had Baker not announced that she is considering a run for the Ninth Congressional District seat occupied by Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo.
“Judy Baker has provided incredible representation for this district,” Spence said. “If she were running for re-election I would do everything I could to make sure she was re-elected.”
Spence said people should vote for him because he has vast experience.
“I have a combination of government and business experience that you don’t often see,” Spence said. “I have started businesses and I’ve worked for a Fortune 500 company, I’ve worked for the Missouri state Senate, the Missouri House and I’ve worked for the state auditor. I know how to get things done.”
Spence said it is important to meet the people who are going to vote.
“I go door to door pretty much every day,” Spence said. “The other day it was pouring down rain and I was out there. When it was 10 degrees with wind chill I was out there.”
Spence said MU needs attention in three areas. He said the first area has to do with finances.
“Number one is funding,” Spence said. “This governor and legislature are shifting the burden of education costs onto students and their parents when it should be a shared responsibility of all Missouri citizens.”
He said the second area he will focus on is scientific research.
“MU’s freedom to engage in scientific research is under constant attack,” Spence said. “It’s not just not having enough money. It’s about stem cells and other areas of research where people are using the type of scientific endeavor in determining whether or not the university should get funding.”
Spence said the third area deals with legislators who don’t understand what MU does for Missouri with its esteemed research level.
“MU does a level of research that cannot be matched by any public institution in the state,” Spence said.
Spence said it is important to hear from Columbia’s young people. His campaign manager Noah Kutchin represents just that.
Kutchin, a 19-year-old student at Columbia College, said the job is a great opportunity and a huge learning experience for him.
Kutchin said though Spence doesn’t hold a governmental position, he knows things the other candidates likely do not.
“Even though he doesn’t hold an elective seat, he sees the behind-the-scene things that go on there,” Kutchin said. “He knows the way it works.”
MU graduate Josh Norberg, who is helping with the campaign, said Spence is the best fit for Columbia.
“I think he represents everything this area needs,” Norberg said. “He’s been an MU student and he knows what’s best for the university.”
Norberg said Spence’s desire to know the people he represents shows he would be a good representative.
“You can’t represent people if you don’t know them,” Norberg said. “A passion of Sean’s is to meet people. He wants to meet everyone.”
Spence said running for this position has been a dream of his.
“I have wanted to run for this district since I was 18,” Spence said. “I know a thing or two about this university. More importantly, I know about listening. And this is what this campaign is going to be about.”
####
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
What a GINORMOUS Day!
Hi Everybody!
Question of the day -- Should state government be in the business of helping all of its citizens have health care insurance? Any other comments?
Yes, from now on, I'm going to do my best to have a "question of the day" that will hopefully attract some real, thoughtful answers from folks. As I've mentioned before, I would like for this blog to help facilitate actual policy discussion. Please comment away. I will never edit or hold back comments related to policy, even if I strongly disagree with them. This blog will not, however, allow any comments that include personal attacks on anyone (even if it is someone I really, really don't like!). Sound fair?
*****
Yesterday was a HUGE day for me, for Missouri, for our nation. I'm an Obama guy, but have a lot of Hillary friends, and many of my supporters also support Hillary. Wasn't it a great day for all of us? Even for the partisan Republicans? I don't really have anything earth-shattering to say; I'm just so proud of our electoral system and all of the great work that so many people put into helping their candidates. No matter who your candidate, it was a huge day for Democracy.
And, of course, I should mention that Susan Montee must be some sort of political genius. She was the first in Missouri to endorse Barack Obama, co-chairs his Missouri campaign, and has been working very hard to help him get to the White House. She endorsed him when his chances looked much slimmer than they do today. Yay, Susan!
Before the polls closed, I had my first horrible walk-in-the-rain day. I felt like the golf-playing minister on "Caddy Shack", relentlessly trudging down the fairway in the pouring rain, just waiting to be hit by lightening (and I actually was walking by the country club in the 25th district). Thanks goodness for a warm coat, gloves Leigh gave me, and an incredibly cheap umbrella (that inverted twice, so that I then felt like I was in a Marx Brothers movie or something). Yes, it was a very cinematic day.
The other big deal for the campaign was lunch with many of the most important labor leaders from around the state. I was the only state legislative candidate in attendance, and was given the opportunity to introduce myself and share just a bit about the race. Labor folks are some of my very favorite in the political world. Hard working. Focused on issues that matter to working people. If I am lucky enough to be elected to this seat, there will be no greater champion of Missouri's working men and women. I've walked a few picket lines in my time and am ready to do that as a member of Missouri's House of Representatives.
Oh, here's the walking update:
Hours Walked 2/5/08: 1
HoursWalked, total: 6.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 22
Houses Visited, total: 165
Have an awesome Wednesday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
573-823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
Question of the day -- Should state government be in the business of helping all of its citizens have health care insurance? Any other comments?
Yes, from now on, I'm going to do my best to have a "question of the day" that will hopefully attract some real, thoughtful answers from folks. As I've mentioned before, I would like for this blog to help facilitate actual policy discussion. Please comment away. I will never edit or hold back comments related to policy, even if I strongly disagree with them. This blog will not, however, allow any comments that include personal attacks on anyone (even if it is someone I really, really don't like!). Sound fair?
*****
Yesterday was a HUGE day for me, for Missouri, for our nation. I'm an Obama guy, but have a lot of Hillary friends, and many of my supporters also support Hillary. Wasn't it a great day for all of us? Even for the partisan Republicans? I don't really have anything earth-shattering to say; I'm just so proud of our electoral system and all of the great work that so many people put into helping their candidates. No matter who your candidate, it was a huge day for Democracy.
And, of course, I should mention that Susan Montee must be some sort of political genius. She was the first in Missouri to endorse Barack Obama, co-chairs his Missouri campaign, and has been working very hard to help him get to the White House. She endorsed him when his chances looked much slimmer than they do today. Yay, Susan!
Before the polls closed, I had my first horrible walk-in-the-rain day. I felt like the golf-playing minister on "Caddy Shack", relentlessly trudging down the fairway in the pouring rain, just waiting to be hit by lightening (and I actually was walking by the country club in the 25th district). Thanks goodness for a warm coat, gloves Leigh gave me, and an incredibly cheap umbrella (that inverted twice, so that I then felt like I was in a Marx Brothers movie or something). Yes, it was a very cinematic day.
The other big deal for the campaign was lunch with many of the most important labor leaders from around the state. I was the only state legislative candidate in attendance, and was given the opportunity to introduce myself and share just a bit about the race. Labor folks are some of my very favorite in the political world. Hard working. Focused on issues that matter to working people. If I am lucky enough to be elected to this seat, there will be no greater champion of Missouri's working men and women. I've walked a few picket lines in my time and am ready to do that as a member of Missouri's House of Representatives.
Oh, here's the walking update:
Hours Walked 2/5/08: 1
HoursWalked, total: 6.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 22
Houses Visited, total: 165
Have an awesome Wednesday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
www.SpenceCampaign.com
573-823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
Monday, February 4, 2008
Posting from the field
Hi Everybody!
This won't be a particularly substantive post. But I've just enabled the function that allows me to e-mail posts from the field. So I'm testing it. Assuming this works, look for the occasional post from my walking, from events, and from anywhere else the mood to communicate with potential constituents strikes.
- sean
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Volunteers, hacking up a lung, etc.
Hi Everybody!
First, I have to come clean and let you know that I couldn't walk yesterday because the entire day was spent on a 2300 piece mailing to voters. More on that, later, but it needed to be done and I thought it would be better for the long-term volunteer effort if I did it with them. You know, teamwork and all that.
Second, after consultation with Dr. Leigh, I won't be walking today because I have a cold that is making me cough and sniffle, quite a lot. Honestly, I feel fine to walk, and was planning to do 1-4 today, but I agre with Leigh that I would probably lose more votes than I would gain as I coughed all over at least 15-20 of my potential future consituents. And hand shaking? Forget about it!
So I'll do other things today, and will be back on the walking trail tomorrow.
The mailing was awesome. Special thanks to volunteers Rick, Kathleen, Greg, Nate, Jim (one of my Rotary Club buddies!), Brianna, Leigh, JS (my secret helper) and Christine. With their help, we put out the first major communication of the campaign. And, with enough volunteers, we were able to finish on time (roughly one minute before we were secheduled to stop) and had a good time. It was all very exciting, and I will always remember that these were the people who showed up for the campaign's very first volunteer activity.
This week, there will be lots of walking, calling people, and getting ready for the campaign's first public event -- "Pizza & Politics with Sean Spence" at Shakespeared downtown, 5:30-7:00 this Thursday, February 7th. Especially if you live in the 25th district and want to get to know me better, please stop by.
Thanks for your time. Have an awesome Sunday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
www.SpenceCampaign.com
First, I have to come clean and let you know that I couldn't walk yesterday because the entire day was spent on a 2300 piece mailing to voters. More on that, later, but it needed to be done and I thought it would be better for the long-term volunteer effort if I did it with them. You know, teamwork and all that.
Second, after consultation with Dr. Leigh, I won't be walking today because I have a cold that is making me cough and sniffle, quite a lot. Honestly, I feel fine to walk, and was planning to do 1-4 today, but I agre with Leigh that I would probably lose more votes than I would gain as I coughed all over at least 15-20 of my potential future consituents. And hand shaking? Forget about it!
So I'll do other things today, and will be back on the walking trail tomorrow.
The mailing was awesome. Special thanks to volunteers Rick, Kathleen, Greg, Nate, Jim (one of my Rotary Club buddies!), Brianna, Leigh, JS (my secret helper) and Christine. With their help, we put out the first major communication of the campaign. And, with enough volunteers, we were able to finish on time (roughly one minute before we were secheduled to stop) and had a good time. It was all very exciting, and I will always remember that these were the people who showed up for the campaign's very first volunteer activity.
This week, there will be lots of walking, calling people, and getting ready for the campaign's first public event -- "Pizza & Politics with Sean Spence" at Shakespeared downtown, 5:30-7:00 this Thursday, February 7th. Especially if you live in the 25th district and want to get to know me better, please stop by.
Thanks for your time. Have an awesome Sunday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
www.SpenceCampaign.com
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Up and at 'em!
Here's the walking update:
Hours Walked 1/29/08: 1.5Hours
Walked, total: 5.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 36
Houses Visited, total: 143
Good Morning!
Yes, it is 5:33 a.m. and I'm up campaigning (started about 4:30, actually). We have volunteers coming in at 9:00 to do a 2300 piece mailing. It is pretty exciting (to me, anyway) because it is being sent to likely voters in the district, just introducing myself to them.
Nope, not asking for money. Just an introduction.
In bigger campaigns, there are just too many voters to do a mailing like this, months before the election. Campaigns have to save their money for the last few weeks, when people are paying a little more attention. But in a state legislative primary, there are relatively few voters, and I feel like it is my responsibility to start communicating with them earlier. At this level, there is a real opportunity for voters to get to know their representative, so isn't it my job as a candidate to help create a real connection? Or, at least, the opportunity for one?
Here is the core of the letter we are sending today:
Dear Gerald,
Within the next few weeks, I will formally announce a run for Judy Baker’s seat in the Missouri House of Representatives (as she takes the first steps toward becoming Columbia’s next member of the U.S. Congress). I am a progressive Democrat, running in the August 5th primary and then hopefully in the November 4th general election.
As a candidate, no one will work harder to create a dialogue with the residents of our district. There will be many opportunities for us to get to know each other – to me, being in close touch with constituents is the only way to provide the kind of representation you deserve.
My goal is to make sure that every Missourian is educated, employed and insured. If these basic needs are met, is there anything beyond our reach?
At www.SpenceCampaign.com, you’ll find increasingly detailed information about our campaign and my vision for the future. We won’t be a campaign that just talks about problems. We’ll talk about specific solutions and participate in vigorous debate with anyone sincerely interested in solving the problems we face.
Please visit www.SpenceCampaign.com – and let me know if you have comments or questions about my vision for Missouri. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sean C. Spence
Democratic Candidate, Missouri’s 25th Legislative District
Later today -- while others work on the mailing, I suspect -- I'll be back out, walking door-to-door and meeting voters. That's turning out to be a pretty awesome part of the campaign. People are giving me a pretty friendly reception and it really feels like they are responding well to our message.
Thanks for reading. Have a fantastic Saturday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
Hours Walked 1/29/08: 1.5Hours
Walked, total: 5.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 36
Houses Visited, total: 143
Good Morning!
Yes, it is 5:33 a.m. and I'm up campaigning (started about 4:30, actually). We have volunteers coming in at 9:00 to do a 2300 piece mailing. It is pretty exciting (to me, anyway) because it is being sent to likely voters in the district, just introducing myself to them.
Nope, not asking for money. Just an introduction.
In bigger campaigns, there are just too many voters to do a mailing like this, months before the election. Campaigns have to save their money for the last few weeks, when people are paying a little more attention. But in a state legislative primary, there are relatively few voters, and I feel like it is my responsibility to start communicating with them earlier. At this level, there is a real opportunity for voters to get to know their representative, so isn't it my job as a candidate to help create a real connection? Or, at least, the opportunity for one?
Here is the core of the letter we are sending today:
Dear Gerald,
Within the next few weeks, I will formally announce a run for Judy Baker’s seat in the Missouri House of Representatives (as she takes the first steps toward becoming Columbia’s next member of the U.S. Congress). I am a progressive Democrat, running in the August 5th primary and then hopefully in the November 4th general election.
As a candidate, no one will work harder to create a dialogue with the residents of our district. There will be many opportunities for us to get to know each other – to me, being in close touch with constituents is the only way to provide the kind of representation you deserve.
My goal is to make sure that every Missourian is educated, employed and insured. If these basic needs are met, is there anything beyond our reach?
At www.SpenceCampaign.com, you’ll find increasingly detailed information about our campaign and my vision for the future. We won’t be a campaign that just talks about problems. We’ll talk about specific solutions and participate in vigorous debate with anyone sincerely interested in solving the problems we face.
Please visit www.SpenceCampaign.com – and let me know if you have comments or questions about my vision for Missouri. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sean C. Spence
Democratic Candidate, Missouri’s 25th Legislative District
Later today -- while others work on the mailing, I suspect -- I'll be back out, walking door-to-door and meeting voters. That's turning out to be a pretty awesome part of the campaign. People are giving me a pretty friendly reception and it really feels like they are responding well to our message.
Thanks for reading. Have a fantastic Saturday!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
Friday, February 1, 2008
Legislation I'd like to see...
Hi Everybody!
Yesterday I wasn't able to walk because we had something come up with a client that had to be dealt with right away. I was literally driving to the location to start walking when I got the call.
Oh well, here's where we are, as of today:
Hours Walked 1/29/08: 1.5
Hours Walked, total: 5.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 36
Houses Visited, total: 101
Right now we are still trying to get every aspect of the campaign off the ground. For the past couple of days, I've been learning about Facebook. There is still much to learn, but our page is up and going in the right direction. I have 46 friends now -- mostly young democrats from MU, but others, too. Facebook is such a powerful organizing tool. We will certainly do our best to put it to good use. And maybe have a little fun.
Today I'm going to write a letter to the editor about people who are gathering signatures for petitions to put issues on the ballot. Every day I go to the post office and there is a guy there, gathering signatures for the effort to eliminate affirmative action in Missouri. First, I should tell you that I'm a proud supporter of affirmative action -- it is not perfect, but it is the best method we have yet created to fight institutionalized racism in our economic practices. Second, I'm fine with people gathering signatures regarding pretty much any issue; but, for gosh sakes, can't they be truthful about their issue?!?
In this case, the guy is saying, "Won't you sign my petition to end unfair hiring practices?"
Sure, I get that some people view affirmative action as an example of unfair hiring practices (they certainly have the right to be wrong), but the Secretary of State created specific language that is to be used on the ballot, and the courts approved it, and I believe this is the language that should be used in collecting signatures. I actually talked to the Secretary of State's office about this and it turns out that this is just one small example of the abuses of the petition process. Apparently there is no way to enforce the way petitions are gathered.
This needs to change.
If you have any thoughts regarding how the legislature should address this issue, I'd love to hear them. It is definitely something I plan to get into if elected.
This afternoon I'll be walking for a few hours, then tonight I have a date with Leigh. She's in the mood for Jina Yoo's (not in the district, but still very delicious, I'm told). One of my favorite date-places in the 25th district, by the way, is definitely Addison's, off 7th & Cherry. Go there soon, unless you don't like tasty food at decent prices (our last meal there was $25 for the two of us).
See ya!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
Yesterday I wasn't able to walk because we had something come up with a client that had to be dealt with right away. I was literally driving to the location to start walking when I got the call.
Oh well, here's where we are, as of today:
Hours Walked 1/29/08: 1.5
Hours Walked, total: 5.5
Houses Visited 1/29/08: 36
Houses Visited, total: 101
Right now we are still trying to get every aspect of the campaign off the ground. For the past couple of days, I've been learning about Facebook. There is still much to learn, but our page is up and going in the right direction. I have 46 friends now -- mostly young democrats from MU, but others, too. Facebook is such a powerful organizing tool. We will certainly do our best to put it to good use. And maybe have a little fun.
Today I'm going to write a letter to the editor about people who are gathering signatures for petitions to put issues on the ballot. Every day I go to the post office and there is a guy there, gathering signatures for the effort to eliminate affirmative action in Missouri. First, I should tell you that I'm a proud supporter of affirmative action -- it is not perfect, but it is the best method we have yet created to fight institutionalized racism in our economic practices. Second, I'm fine with people gathering signatures regarding pretty much any issue; but, for gosh sakes, can't they be truthful about their issue?!?
In this case, the guy is saying, "Won't you sign my petition to end unfair hiring practices?"
Sure, I get that some people view affirmative action as an example of unfair hiring practices (they certainly have the right to be wrong), but the Secretary of State created specific language that is to be used on the ballot, and the courts approved it, and I believe this is the language that should be used in collecting signatures. I actually talked to the Secretary of State's office about this and it turns out that this is just one small example of the abuses of the petition process. Apparently there is no way to enforce the way petitions are gathered.
This needs to change.
If you have any thoughts regarding how the legislature should address this issue, I'd love to hear them. It is definitely something I plan to get into if elected.
This afternoon I'll be walking for a few hours, then tonight I have a date with Leigh. She's in the mood for Jina Yoo's (not in the district, but still very delicious, I'm told). One of my favorite date-places in the 25th district, by the way, is definitely Addison's, off 7th & Cherry. Go there soon, unless you don't like tasty food at decent prices (our last meal there was $25 for the two of us).
See ya!
- sean
Sean Spence
Candidate, Missouri's 25th Legislative District
823-1308
seanspence@earthlink.net
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