November 8, 2010
James Haldeman: the First Declared General Assembly Candidate for 2012
While all of us, candidates and voters alike, recover from our political hangover, I am eager to announce that the Haldeman Campaign 2012 for State Representative, District 35 has already begun its planning process! I am very grateful to all my supporters, and I'm inspired to push forward by virtue of the 48% who voted for me. That's correct...48%!
Last week's South County Independent inaccurately reported the results of my race which causes me now to exercise a little damage controI. However, it is necessary for the citizens in this community who supported me to know and understand the reality that we lost by a mere 166 votes. Turning just 84 votes is all that was needed to be victorious. We were so very close!
My political philosophy will remain constant during the next two years. I will push for lower tax rates that will yield greater tax revenue for the state and I will push for greater competition with our neighboring states. The list goes on but those two fiscal maneuvers alone will help provide state funding to URI, will motivate and enhance businesses to move to Rhode Island and unemployment will instantly be reduced.
So, as I congratulate and send my best wishes to my opponent, Spencer Dickinson, I will risk my political career right here, right now, and state that there will be absolutely no changes to those issues in the next two years until someone like me with tested and proven leadership is sent to Smith Hill. My sincere thanks goes out to everyone in this community for the opportunity to serve you in 2012.
Jim Haldeman, a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and a captain with American Airlines, was and is a candidate for RI House District 35.
YES! Go Jim! Give another Hoya and a choo choo rah rah!
Let's put the heat on these union backed legislators and let them know that their every move is being scrutinized. Gone are the days of slipping through the cracks. The next two years will be all about exposing them for who they really represent- and it's not the taxpayers.
Posted by: Madmom at November 8, 2010 5:36 PMIn South County, Jim Haldeman came so very close to knocking a dem out of that house seat, Kevin O'Neill (running for public office for the first time, Independent) also came very close to knocking out Sue Sosnowski, and Tom Browning (running for public office for the first time, Moderate) got almost 40% of the vote against the decades-long incumbent (RI Senate and then Rep)and decades-long member of the teacher's union, Donna Walsh.
That these three did so well means there is a glimmer of hope.
Is it possible to help all the 2012 candidates get started now, planning strategy, monitoring each elected official's actions and votes, and start raising money now and building a volunteer base for each candidate?
There has to be a strategy developed for overthrowing the self-anointed dems.
Madmom --
Hey, we're 'Saders (not "Hoyas")!
I think in this context, it's "hoiah," rather than "hoya."
At least, that's what I heard from Mamie Reilly . . . .
See http://goholycross.com/traditions/songs
Posted by: brassband at November 8, 2010 7:03 PMSo how many times has this person gone to the voters and come away empty? 3?
Posted by: Phil at November 8, 2010 9:07 PMCan’t get one past you Phil. You are absolutely correct. I ran unsuccessfully 3 times as a Republican, but what’s your point? I’m sure you have run before…haven’t you…so you obviously know the dedication, commitment, and work ethic it takes to run a campaign. I admit that I have felt the sting of defeat and it's brutally painful. But how fitting it is to take this moment and use Teddy Roosevelt's speech when I say that at least my place will never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know of victory or defeat. Am I referring to you Phil? So, until you, which I sense is highly unlikely, or someone else takes me on in a primary, your blog jab is hardly a discouragement to my political future.
Posted by: Jim Haldeman at November 8, 2010 11:38 PMJim Halderman
Thank you for answering the question. I'm sorry it irked you so. I do not know much more about your campaigns than the results. I'd say good luck but I sense you will need more than that. Remember the Buffalo Bills. Far be it for me an anonymous sometime political observer to offer any advice or be in a position to encourage or discourage your now constant run for political office. May the wind be at your back always and good luck for whatever its worth.
Posted by: Phil at November 9, 2010 7:49 AMHi!
I have run every two years as a Republican for Hopkinton Town Council since 1992,. Finally won in 1996 and re-elected 1998,2000, and 2002,. Lost in 2004,2006, and 2008,. I just won by two votes! I am the ONLY LIVING REPUBLICAN elected four and now five terms to the Hopkinton Town Council.
Hopkinton voters elect five town council at-large. This council will have two Democrats, two independents, won who ran two years ago as a socialist for R.I. State Senate, and myself,.
I am concerned all Republicans in my town for town offices with competition which was town council and school committee lost except me and in that case one of the Republicans had to win.
"South County" is very important to the resurrection of the R.I. GOP as well as other areas. However even in our part of the state we need more candidate recruitment.
AS a Republican I thank Jim for representing the GOP. I also want to mention Sean O'Donnell from S.K. who would have been a great local official as a school committee member. Sean has been a great Haldeman cheerleader.
Regards,
Scott