J.J. & Michael Watching the Results Coming In

The last several months have been an incredible journey for me and my family, one we will never forget.  I am honored and proud to have your support to represent you as the next State Senator for Missouri’s 6^th District.

I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers, our family friends, and my family for putting in the commitment it takes to achieve this goal.  I especially want to thank those folks who stuck with us when the campaign took a negative turn.  We kept the faith and the voters proved that a campaign with a positive message can still be run effectively and can win.   We had a war room set up, and thanks to J.J. and my son, Michael, they and all the volunteers did a great job keeping track of the numbers.

The Four Horsemen: Bruce Miedema, John Kehoe, Mike, & Tom Kolb

I was part of the “Four Horsemen” and without my brother, John, and my two other brothers – Bruce Miedema and Tom Kolb, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the last year, and especially the last weekend.

And of course my partner – Claudia, who stuck with me through thick and thin – I love her very much.

Most of all I thank God.  He takes you down some paths that make you wonder, but I truly learned once again that if you trust Him, He will lead you where He wants you to go.

Mike & Claudia Celebrate the Election Night Win

Today I get back to keeping our business running, something our team has done a fantastic job at for the last several months - thank goodness for our dealership family.

Thank you all for your support!

After another great week on the campaign trail, what started out as mild stomach cramping on Friday resulted in my gall bladder officially biting the dust on Sunday.  Although it was frustrating to have to slow down for 2 days, I must say I have been humbled to watch my wife, children, brother, sisters, and hundreds of our supporters kick it into high gear.

Green Shirt Supporters Take to the Streets

People continue to express their support for a campaign that focuses on the real issues that you and I care about, like creating more jobs, reining in government spending, and fighting for strong family values.  While I was out for the weekend, the campaign team stepped up yet again.  My wife Claudia even made the ultimate gesture of marital commitment and sacrifice by milking a goat at the Cole County Fair on Friday. 

We wrapped up the 24-stop “Mike Kehoe for Senate Flapjack Tour” on Saturday with our largest turnout yet. I would like to thank everyone who stopped by.  My daughter Carol (18) and my sister Maureen (age not available), along with several volunteers, worked the crowds in Millersburg, California, and Osage Bend.  A special thanks to the 50+ supporters who walked in the California parade on Saturday.

A Phenomenal Turnout for the California Parade!

I am proud to report that over the last few months, our team (you included) made over 14,000 phone calls, knocked on over 12,000 doors, placed over 2,000 yard signs,  attended over 370 community events, placed over 300 4′-by-8′ signs, blew out only 1 transmission on the campaign van, and launched no negative attacks on our opponents.

I truly believe we have done everything possible to get our positive message out there, and I appreciate all of you for your participation.  I am humbled by all of your prayers and know that the results are in the hands of Someone far more powerful than me.

I would like to remind you to vote tomorrow, August 3^rd, and would ask that you encourage others to do the same.

With just 8 days to go in the campaign, one of my opponents has made accusations in an attempt to distract voters from the core issues of the campaign and what the people of this District need and want – honest answers to real issues. 

This week my opponent started an ad that misrepresents a program involving the automotive industry last year, and bends the facts to make it seem like our dealership – and the thousands of other participating dealers around the country – were to blame.  My opponent paints a picture of the C.A.R.S. program (a.k.a. Cash for Clunkers) that would lead a viewer to believe that our dealership, and not the customer, received the rebates from the federal government when they traded a vehicle and qualified for the program.  This simply is not true.  What is true is the customer received the rebate in the form of a guaranteed trade-in allowance on their vehicle toward the purchase of a new one.  The program is similar to when a manufacturer offers a rebate for a customer – the customer gets it NOT the dealer.  

Most new car dealers in this state accepted applications from customers who qualified for this program.   Other businesses also have had to work with government incentive programs.  Banks have dealt with first-time home buyer incentive programs, and appliance stores are redeeming rebates on energy appliance upgrades that the government has available.  I have been saying for months that a new government program is not the solution to our problems.  Unfortunately, the Obama administration made the decision to implement this program and it was there for any consumers that wanted to participate.  The federal government continues to create these types of incentives which unfortunately put businesses in a no-win situation where we either choose to participate or get beat by those businesses that do. 

Mike and Claudia with their 4 Children.

I – like you – hate negative attack ads, and no matter what political experts tell me today about attacking back, I will not do it.  Our campaign is committed to staying positive and focusing on the issues we care about.  On behalf of my partners and my employees, I do think it’s appropriate to respond to the attacks just so folks know the truth (click  here to view our response ad).  

We are going to keep working hard – our last Flapjack Tour stop and rally is on Saturday at Riverside Park in Jefferson City.  As in our previous 23 stops, we will be at there from 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. We would love to see you there!  With over two dozen other events to attend, it will be a crazy schedule over the next 8 days, but we will continue to talk about the issues people care about like putting people back to work, asking government to live within its means and fighting for strong family values.

So why am I doing this?  Because I want to see our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities I had to achieve my dreams.

I hope to earn your support on August 3^rd.

I would like to personally thank all of the volunteers who have put in countless hours to help my campaign this summer.  One of our volunteers even took a t-post driver to the head last week and required 3 stitches – who knew campaigning could be a full-contact sport!  (No word on the condition of the t-post driver).  The campaign is full-steam ahead and August 3rd will be here before you know it (only 26 days away).  I am truly humbled by all the support our campaign continues to receive and was very excited to see that momentum continue to grow during the 4th of July weekend.  The 4th of July is more than parades and fireworks – it’s about independence – and we thank God for that.

The July 4th weekend took us to numerous community festivals and parades throughout the 6th District.  We started off the weekend with a street fair and fireworks show in Holts Summit on July 1st.  We passed out tons of candy and frisbees at the parades in Jefferson City, Eldon, and the High Point Festival on July 3rd, and wrapped up the parade circuit on the 4th of July in California.  Our team of two 2100-pound Belgian horses was worn out, but much like our volunteers, they are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get our message out!  

Our Flapjack Tour has already completed 13 of its 24 scheduled stops and the response has been excellent.  We have visited with hundreds of folks throughout the District over fresh pancakes and coffee – I’m not sure our green shirt helpers will ever eat pancakes again after our last stop on July 31st.  The Flapjack Tour is headed to St. Elizabeth this Saturday, Russellville on Monday, Auxvasse on Tuesday, and Mary’s Home / Eugene on Thursday, so be sure to stop by and say hello.  Feel free to check our website if you would like to see a list of the remaining stops so you can come and join us.

P.S. If you would like an opportunity to participate in the campaign by displaying a Mike Kehoe for Senate yard sign, click here.

 Volunteers watch fireworks in Holts Summit.

 Mike visits with volunteers at the “Salute to America” booth in Jefferson City.

 Mike and his crew prepare for the California parade.

 Mike and his family & friends gather in front of the Capitol following the fireworks.

Hundreds of People, Thousands of Flapjacks!

We have 10 of our 24 flapjack tour stops under our belts, and the energy is incredible from supporters and from my traveling crew.  Okay, some of the 18-year-olds helping me did not know 5 o’clock happened twice a day, but they are enjoying the experience.

Mike speaks with supporters in Tipton.

We have cooked in the farmland bottoms of Callaway County, received a tour of a 105-year-old Feed Mill in Stover,  mixed batter in the park with a lake that once watered steam engines (that’s a quiz for you all),  brewed coffee around the corner from the Iberia Academy, and shared fond memories of great baseball teams at Legion Fields.  On each and every stop we met people from all walks of life who support our efforts, and give our team the energy we need to move as hard as we can towards August 3^rd – just 33 days away – and I would love to have the opportunity to earn your vote and bring fresh ideas to our state capitol.

Check out some of our photos below; better yet, check out some of our stops – 14 left in the next 3 weeks.  No one has thrown the pancakes out, and the coffee is always hot and plentiful.  A full list of places and times can be found on our website.  Come by to eat and leave with a positive start to another great Missouri day.

I hope you and your families have a wonderful and safe 4^th of July weekend.  Our freedom is very important to me.  Please keep the men and women serving in our military in your prayers.

P.S. If you would like an opportunity to participate in the campaign by displaying a Mike Kehoe for Senate yard sign, click here.

 Mike flips flapjacks in Mokane.

 Mike and his crew at a local business in Iberia.

 People gather in Tipton to show support.

Volunteers get ready for the day in California.

The 24-City Tour Begins

As you know, this District is huge.  Our campaign has literally been all over the 5-county district, and I am enjoying meeting with thousands of people who are quickly becoming friends.  My personal philosophy is that God gave us two ears and just one mouth so that we can listen, and in our newest endeavor that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Starting June 17th, we will begin our Mike Kehoe for Senate Flapjack Tour, which will take us to 24 communities in all 5 counties of the 6th Senate District. I have folks who talk to me over coffee all the time, and since I have a griddle and a lot of coffee cups, I figured I would bring our common sense campaign to your hometown.  Complements of the campaign, we will serve coffee (in go-cups with lids, of course), and my famous flapjacks – at least that’s what my kids think.  I am excited to meet even more people who are interested in our message of bringing a fresh face with new ideas to the Capitol.

Bring your friends and family, stop by on your way to work, grab a flapjack and a go-cup of coffee and shoot the breeze.  It’s not your typical political event (there’s no speeches), but then again, that’s why I’m running – to promote what you want.  Help us spread the word – everyone is welcome.  We even have a few gifts to give away that will help you “flip your own flapjacks” after you leave!  You can even click here to see our newspaper ad.

I’ll be in each city from 6:30am until 8:30am, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in one of our cities! 

Our county coordinators and I just completed a 14-day swing through the District and I want to tell you all about the issues folks have on their minds.  It’s jobs, jobs and jobs.  Those fortunate to have a job want to keep more of what they earn – or at least not give up any more of what they earn in additional taxes.  They think someone with common sense who has experience running a small business will understand jobs and their impact on the local economy.  Simply said, they want to see practical experience in the state Senate.

Now I know many of you may think I’m just saying that because it sounds good, but today at McDonald’s in Eldon the lady helping me with coffee said, “Do you work for Mike Kehoe?” and I said, “Yes.”  She said, “Tell him I love my ‘05 Ford Escape, and that I will vote for him for state Senate – we need someone with some business sense.”  That’s a true story! (I did finally introduce myself after she gave me a hug and finished explaining how embarrassed she was.) 

The Leadership Express Crosses a Swinging Bridge in Miller County

I hear similar comments about job creation and the need for legislators with real world experience, whether I am in Mokane, St. Anthony, Latham, Wardsville, or Fulton – you name it, we have been there.  Our campaign believes that “common sense will lead you on a good path…” and this week we experienced it, literally, as our common sense campaign led us across the “swinging bridges” of Miller County.  If you have not been on a swinging bridge, I encourage you to visit Miller County and check it out for yourself. 

I have 2-3 county coordinators in each of our 5 counties, and they are doing a super job.  I would not be able to do this without a great team, and we have the best available.  I’ll be updating you every couple of weeks or so and highlighting these great people from all parts of the District who are helping us get our message out to their friends, families and neighbors every day.  

Our focus is laser-like, and our commitment is rock solid.  Thank you to those of you who have personally signed up and/or have committed your support to be a phone bank volunteer (thousands strong).  For those of you who are still studying this race, please take a look at our site www.mikekehoeforsenate.com where I think you’ll find answers to many of your questions.  If not, contact us and I’ll see what I can do to help you make an informed decision. 

Have a great week & God Bless, 

Andy and I install a 4 x 8 sign in Miller County

Thanks to many of you, our campaign to put a fresh face with a small business background and common sense approach in the state Capitol is going very well.  We continue to make strides in the race by leading in many key indicators.  With assistance from many of you, we have outraised our competitors and led in total donors in all 3 quarters (since July announcement), our phone bank volunteers have reached out to over 12,000 voters, our 4×8 sign locations are popping up everywhere and we are excited to see clear indications of the support our campaign continues to receive.  With your help, we will make the important final step and move from being listed last on the ballot to being first in the vote count on August 3^rd.

I get lots of comments as I am out and about EVERY DAY, and I can assure you that our team of volunteers and I are working tirelessly to make sure the people in the 6^th District know that I am genuine in my efforts to communicate who I am and what I am about.  I keep saying that this is not about needing a job – I have a wife of 20 years, 4 kids, a business – you know the drill.  This campaign is about answering the call for a voice from outside the political arena that is a citizen legislator representing a balanced view connected to communities, businesses, and families as our founding fathers envisioned.

Still the question comes dozens of times every day: “Why are you doing this?  One person can’t make a difference, the system is too far gone.”  I’m not on this mission for me – I’m on it for our kids and grandkids.  One person can make a difference!  My Christian faith and life experience have taught me that if I think things could be done better then I should roll up my sleeves and get to work. 

I am traveling about 200 miles daily, and averaging 3 to 4 visits a day with folks all around this massive District which encompasses 2,838 square miles and 1,816,320 acres.  I have met thousands of people, and plan to meet thousands more.  I’ve traveled from Hatton to Portland in Callaway County, St. Thomas to Elston in Cole County, Iberia to St. Elizabeth in Miller County, High Point to Jamestown in Moniteau County, and from Barnett to Stover in Morgan County and many points in between.  In every corner of every county our simple message has been well received.  Mid-Missourians want to see a fresh face with a new perspective, low taxes, and a strong focus on job creation to get the economy back on track. 

I am humbled by the support and encouragement I receive every day from people like you – and many of you have expressed a desire to get involved.  Something as simple as a bumper sticker on the back of your vehicle can make a difference.  Let us know if you need one or have a desire to do more for our campaign.  The little things will go a long way toward helping us achieve victory in the August 3^rd Primary.

I appreciate those of you who have already expressed your willingness to offer your prayers and support.  To those of you who are trying to decide how you will vote in August, I hope to earn your vote.  Together, we will make a difference for the good of our state and nation.

The Missouri State Council of Firefighters Endorses Small Businessman Mike Kehoe in 6^th District State Senate Race    

Mark Habbas, MSCFF Legislative Director, and Mike Kehoe visit about the Firefighter endorsement

This week our campaign received some great news -  The Missouri State Council of Firefighters announced their endorsement of our campaign, which is not only humbling, it is a true honor.  Especially when you consider the Missouri Council of Firefighters is comprised of 6,800 firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and emergency dispatchers from around the state of Missouri, including the 6^th Senate District.

Our family has a long history with the firefighting community, as I had uncles and cousins who were firefighters.  I saw firsthand the commitments these folks make to their communities.  I also dealt with fire departments all over the state during my time manufacturing Ambulances as owner of Osage Industries in Linn, Missouri.  I understand the  issues and concerns that face these men and women, and  I am committed to fighting for the health and safety of these front line workers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. 

Along with the endorsement came a new friendship – Mark Habbas, MSCFF Legislative Director.  Mark is a great man who represents his fellow firefighters with dedication and passion.  I was very proud to have Mark as a part of our announcement today when he said, “We are excited to announce our endorsement of Mike Kehoe, a first class businessman and community leader who represents the hardworking values of our members and the communities we serve.  We look forward to putting our full efforts behind Mike and will work hard to see him elected to the 6^thDistrict State Senate seat”.  Mark, I look forward to working with you and your members as we work to get our message out across the 5-county area.  I know thousands of other folks in the 6th District will join me in saying thank you for what our firefighters do to keep our families safe day in and day out.  Thank you MSCFF and it’s members - I am honored.