Republican candidate Jacob Turk invoked the Ronald Reagan line, ’are you better off?’ in announcing another run for the Mo-5 seat to Congress.
“Has our economic outlook improved over the past year? Have we revived the job market? Has our national debt declined? Unfortunately, the answer to all three questions is No. Our nation is at a very serious crossroads. We need a Congressman who will focus on the important issues confronting this district and the nation and who will get results. That’s why today I am announcing my candidacy for Congress,” said Turk in a news release.
Turk has run in the Mo-5 every election since 2006. Each time he has been defeated by Democratic incumbent Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
In 2010, he posted his highest vote total, 44%, in a Republican wave year.
Turk may face a primary from Missouri State Representative, Jerry Nolte. He is also running for the GOP Mo-5 nomination in a district that now stretches in the Kansas City, North. That’s on the north bank of the Missouri River.
In his announcement statement, Turk noted that he no longer lives in the boundaries of the re-drawn Mo-5.
“When new district lines were drawn earlier this year, Turk’s home was blatantly gerrymandered out of the district,” Turk’s news release states.
It is not required for a member of Congress to live in the district from which they are elected.
Turk Invokes Reagan Launching 4th Bid for Congress
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I don’t have the time nor the desire to research Turk’s residency claims… but they sound hincky to me….
Turk has lived in the 5th district for 34 years. Doesn’t take a genius to “research” that.
They’re not. I spoke at the Redistricting open forum for the Mo State legislature at UMKC and I attended the one at Blue Springs the week before. Almost everyone that spoke at both said they were against the new district lines. If you look at the way they have redrawn the district it is obvious gerrymandering. The Mo state legislature knows good and well where Jacob lives and they drew the new lines just a few streets over from his. They just assume this seat will go to a Democrat so they strike a deal with the Democrats to give them what they want in the 5th district in order to keep the districts that are more assuredly Republican from going to Democrats. It’s politics as usual and Jacob is trying to rise above all of that and be true to his district (which he still considers himself a part of since he has spent so much time getting to know people in that district.) It’s very unfair what they have done and there is even a lawsuit pending to redraw the lines more accurately.
You’ll be relieved – or disturbed by the lousy politics of it all – to know that Turk’s residency statement is correct. He has lived in KC for over three decades. Following his close run against Cleaver in 2010, the redistricting of the State placed his house mere blocks from the newly drawn line to exclude him from district. However, this does nothing to prevent his run… it just shows the hesitance of the establishment to have the fiscally conservative Turk in office where he can begin to drain the swamp.
We need a true passionate intelligent leader who is prepared to discuss the difficult issues with Members of Congress. It is time to restore our nation’s wealth and job opportunities. We need tax reforms that reward production and attract capital to strengthen the middle class and create opportunity. WE CANNOT have another failed attempt at defeating Cleaver. We deserve a true passionate Republican for our interests. WE DESERVE JASON GREENE!VOTE JASON GREENE Aug. 7, 2012.
Nice try (NOT), Hyper. When you have forces aligning who are in favor of gerrymandered districts placed in charge of redrawing lines suited to favored outcomes it tends to create some problems. And yes, I am well aware that they have R’s behind their names. Hinky, indeed.
Mr. Turk’s home, where he has lived for years and where he raised his children, was squarely in the 5th until redistricting took place. Per current maps, he is now mere blocks outside of it. Convenient, eh? Please do not try to mislead readers by making vague statements alluding to some sort of misconduct on the part of Mr. Turk’s residency.He has done nothing wrong… unless coming within 9 points of ousting Cleaver gets under your skin! To suggest that there is wrongdoing simply by remaining in a house you’ve owned for years and only shows YOUR colors, sir.
Jacob Turk is a man of integrity. Something that is DESPERATELY needed in this country at this time in our history, folks. We need representation that is unapologetically pro-growth and yep, I’m gonna say it, pro-life. let’s see to it that he gets the seat. We deserve better than what we’re getting right now.
The redistricting process was an absolute joke and our state politicians should be seriously ashamed of themselves. I’m glad Turk is going after it again. He would actually represent the people of Missouri. Cleaver is now unfortunately so out of touch and arrogant. We need someone who will actually help push this country in the right direction.
Good luck, Jacob!
I like Turk. He seems like a breath of fresh air from “politics as usual”.
Jacob has been a resident of the 5th district for 34 years. He taught his kids how to ride bikes in that district for crying out loud. He has worked in the district, raised his children in the district and started his own business in the district. It seems like the man should be able to represent the 5th district and do it well.
Jacob Turk has been a resident of the 5th for the last 34 years. His house didn’t move and he hasn’t stopped being a resident of the 5th as the new lines don’t take effect until early January of 2013. As matter of fact where has Cleaver actually been living since he was elected to Congress? Worth checking out.
It’s too bad that there district lines have more to do with politics than creating district lines that the average person can remember–like following county or city lines. I think it’s great that Jacob is running again!
In every generation you find someone with the courage to stand for what is right. Someone who is not afraid of challenge . When I think of this kind of person ,Jacob Turk comes to mind !in a society that’s on the moral decline you have someone like Jacob Turk that will hold up the banner for Truth , Justice and ,Morality.
Sincerely ,
Dehavilland Ford
We need real leadership and Jacon Turk is just the person we need to deseat Cleaver!
Jacob Turk is one of the most caring, upstanding men I’ve met. His sacrifice to be a representative for us is relentless. We would all benefit from him defeating Cleaver.
If one doesn’t have to be a resident of the district, the point is mute. I think the voters need to look at the issues raised.
You should take the time, and do the research
The area was redistricted with the intention of securing a certain demographic…..is this the behavior of people you want representing you in Congress?
I am very excited about this announcement! As a resident of the fifth district, I can most assuredly say that things are far worse off. In the fifth district, we need true representation in the United States Congress. We need a congressman that listens to his constituents and does not act on his/her own accord as has been done for so many years. My family is a middle class family who has experienced the painfulness of the economy as our home was foreclosed upon (wrongfully, I might add). We need a congressman that will respond to emails and calls from everyday citizens and will seek to sponsor and support legislation that will help middle class America. I firmly believe Jacob Turk will be the representative that the fifth district so desperately needs.
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