I had the pleasure of meeting Jeremy Lafaver earlier this week. He’s bright, level-headed, informed on the issues, and intent on running a clean campaign focused on reasons why he is the better candidate, rather than why his opponent(s?) are inferior. Folks, it looks like the 44th District might be getting the kind of race it deserves.
Informed observers (that’s me) were concerned that the race to succeed Jason Kander’s seat was shaping up to be a repeat of the 2008 race. In that race, a bright young attorney ran against a lobbyist preferred by the insiders, and the insiders responded with vile attacks and disgraceful behavior on their way to a humiliating defeat. A repeat of that race would be a disservice to the district and to Democracy itself. Fortunately, Jeremy Lafaver has a better plan.
In our conversation, Lafaver focused on what he sees as his key issues. Education, Child Welfare, Quality Jobs, and Health Care will be his focus during his race, and those issues are forthrightly set out on his website, which launched yesterday.
In a prior post, I had described Lafaver as a lobbyist, and I was pleased to hear that he doesn’t shrink from the description. ”I think experience in the legislature is a positive, and I’m proud of the work Partnership for Children has done for Missouri’s children,” he explained. It was refreshing to meet a lobbyist who doesn’t view his occupation as a slanderous label.
My earlier concerns that 2012 would echo the prior contest are calming. Both Lafaver and his opponent Chris Miller seem focused on the issues, and both have learned from Jason Kander’s positive example that the way to win this race is by knocking on doors and engaging with voters. Lafaver specifically pointed out the Burke/James mayoral race as worthy of emulation for being a contest that managed to stay positive until the closing moments (when Jim Bergfalk slimed the city). If their mutual supporters show the same level of dignity that the candidates themselves demonstrate, the 44th District will go to the polls with two good options to choose to step into Jason Kander’s massive shoes.
Didn’t some of your friends support the lobbyist candidate in 2008?
Yes, some did.
Do those friends now support Kander?
I imagine so. Why do you want to know, and why would you ask me?