Published: May 28, 2008 06:51 pm            

JENNINGS: Powers is the true ‘Real Deal’

It has been nearly a year since Jon Powers announced his intent to run for the congressional seat currently held by Tom Reynolds. I was at the event, held in Clarence, and I was immediately struck by the candidate’s candor about his upbringing and the time he spent in Iraq.

My first conversation with Jon Powers was about teaching social studies. Powers appeared genuine, a quality not found in many politicians. I met his parents and they were very supportive of their son’s efforts, and they are wonderful people. Jon also seemed determined and yet at the time the prospects of a vibrant young Iraq war veteran beating Tom Reynolds seemed overwhelming.

Within the first six months of the campaign, Powers reached out to Democratic committees across the state. In his travels, he spent a lot of time in Orleans County getting to know the voters. In gatherings large and small, Powers listened intently. It was during this period that I began to admire Jon’s work ethic.

By January, I started to hear rumors that Tom Reynolds was going to retire from Congress. At that point, Jon had established himself as the hardest working candidate. While I was campaigning in New Hampshire for Hillary Clinton, Jon’s name came up repeatedly, proof that his hard work was paying off. Democrats wanted to know more about the candidate from Clarence.

In March, Tom Reynolds made it official; he was not going to run for re-election. The pundits wondered who would vie for the seat. The heir apparent was George Maziarz, but after some thoughtful consideration, he decided that he was not going to run. That left the Republican side in limbo while Jon continued to campaign.

Other Democrats are seeking the nomination, but none of them has fostered the relationships that Jon has with Democratic committees in the district. That is why every single committee in the 26th Congressional District has endorsed Jon Powers. Hard work trumped hard cash, which is the way things should be.

Earlier this month, I officially joined the Jon Powers for Congress campaign as a volunteer. Anyone who has volunteered for a campaign, or run for office, realizes that there is a tremendous time commitment involved. It means giving up weekends and evenings, having people hang up the phone on you and having doors slammed in your face. In other words, you really have to believe in a candidate to offer your services to them.

My sacrifice pales in comparison to Jon’s service for his country while a soldier in Iraq. I am just a campaign worker; soldiers like Jon are true heroes, as is everyone who serves in the military.

I firmly believe that Jon Powers will be a great congressperson. I have witnessed firsthand Jon’s grassroots campaign evolve over the last year. In spite of the accolades, the endorsements and the ever-growing volunteer base, Jon Powers is still the same guy I met in Clarence a year ago. He is the Real Deal.

Thom Jennings lives in Albion. For comments write to vaggm@gnnewspaper.com. The Real Deal from Orleans County is now available as an audio podcast on iTunes.

        

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