The family and I watch as Claire picks the ballot number

The day that I thought would never get here finally came – the first day for filing for candidates desiring to run for elected office.  It’s been an exciting ride to get to this point and my energy and determination have not waivered.  Our campaign is energized to continue to deliver our message of Leadership, Values and, most of all, Common Sense.  My entire family was excited to join me yesterday morning in this important step of signing my name on the dotted line.  I’ve signed my name to various things thousands of times: loans, paychecks, mortgages, wedding license, and birth certificates.  Today’s experience was very humbling as you think about all the great Missourians who have been a part of the process for over a hundred years.  My youngest daughter Claire figured out a way to be the one to draw our ballot placement number, somehow convincing her siblings she was up to the task.  Now keep in mind, the lowest number allows you to get your name first on the ballot.  There were 999 numbers in the fish bowl Claire drew from, and she did a great job, pulling out #962.  She looked at me and said “that’s a good number, right Daddy?”.  “Of course it is”, I told her.  I ended up 4th out of 4 on the ballot position, and I would not have it any other way.  Of course I called my 82-year-old mother to fill her in on the day’s excitement, and when I told her the ballot position, without hesitation she reminded me of Matthew 19:13 (”But many who are first shall be last, and the last shall be first”).  I don’t know about you, but this is just one reason I love my mother.  Claudia, the kids, our hundreds of volunteers, Zach the Intern and I are 110% ready for the push to the finish line and we are committed to working harder than ever – get ready, we are out of the gate and full steam ahead!