Luetkemeyer adds staff for 9th District congressional bid
Former state Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, one of several Republicans running for the congressional post soon to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, announced four key staff hirings on Tuesday.
Among them:
“Jerry Dowell, who will serve as Luetkemeyer’s campaign manager” after taking an unpaid leave from Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s staff. Dowell formerly was Hulshof’s political director and later worked for former state Sen. John Cauthorn, before joining Kinder.
Randall Gutermuth, who will be an adviser. He is with American Viewpoint of Alexandria, Va., a conservative firm “which currently advises the National Republican Campaign Committee, the Republican National Committee and John McCain’s presidential efforts,” a release said.
“Gutermuth has worked with numerous Missouri elected official,” including former Sen. Jim Talent, Gov. Matt Blunt, Kinder and U.S. Reps. Roy Blunt and Jo Ann Emerson, among others.
John Thompson, who will handle Luetkemeyer’s advertising. Thompson currently heads Thompson Communications in Springfield,Mo., where he has worked with a number of Missouri politicians (notably the Blunts) for 20 years.
David Barklage, who will serve as a senior campaign consultant. Barklage has worked with a number of Missouri pols, including Kinder and the late U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson.
“I am honored and extremely pleased that these experienced and successful individuals have joined our campaign and I look forward to working with them on behalf of the hard-working people of the 9th Congressional District of Missouri,” Luetkemeyer said in a statement.
By the way, Luetkemeyer is among several Republicans who have hired former state GOP spokesman Paul Sloca in some capacity. Sloca also is doing work for Kinder and state Sen. President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, who’s running for attorney general.
I really like Luetkemeyer. He is a serious businessman while being personally pleasant. I wish the Republican Party had about 20 more like him!
Sloca is the man! Luetkemeyer is a class act all the way. I hope this race doesn’t get nasty. He’s such a nice man, I would hate to see the other guys sling mud at him, but it is politics . . . I’m sure it’s coming. Everyone wants to knock down the front runner.
Luetkemeyer’s hiring of Dowell and Barklage shows the first two comments are way off base. If they were anywhere near true - those two clowns would not even be close to Luetkemeyer’s campaign.
Barklage vs. wannabe Barklage Jetton. I will bet on the real deal. Blaine is going to win this primary. Dr. Bob is a great guy but is not electable in the 9th in this climate. Gotta love the debate idea between him and Jacob. The two candidates who have no chance of a November victory, unless I guess they would both be their party’s nominees. Anyone else see Jetton’s Onder letter last week. What a doozy. It grouped St. Charles with Franklin County as his natural base. A stretch. Only one half of his current Rep. district is in the 9th. Plus St. Charles County makes up a tiny percentage of the primary vote. He will not win Franklin County and will not have a big enough lead coming out of St. Charles County to overcome his poor showings in the rural protions of 9th. Dr. Bob would be an awesome candidate for a District like Akin’s, but not the 9th.
JasonB, why must you always get nasty? Everyone else always leaves positive comments, but you always have something hateful and bitter to say. Are you jealous of the two clowns? Every newspaper that I read there is some wise crack from you. Of course, I’m sure my post won’t be left up, yet you get to take cheap shots at people. Why don’t you use your full name? Are you ashamed? You should be!
Onder and Luetkemeyer won’t even be close. A redux of the Treasuer’s race.
Randy - you have my permission to not read any of my posts.
Aloha