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I’ve always struggled to support politicians. I’m a libertarian, and the more I’ve learned about our government, the less faith I’ve had that voting actually changes anything. I’ve watched people I really trusted, including my former pastor who was once a close friend, turn around and betray everyone around them. I think experiences like that have made me pretty leery of trusting anyone who is in a position of power.
Ron Paul changed my life in many ways. He was the first politician who really got me thinking about liberty and what government’s role should be. I voted for him, then Rand Paul, and I’ve supported other libertarian candidates over the years, but none of them really came close to what Ron Paul stood for. Thomas Massie has been one of the few people in recent years I’ve actually been excited about, mostly because I’ve followed him long enough to see that he’s willing to stand by what he believes even when it makes him unpopular.
I’ve always believed in very limited government, and I’ve never been okay with either party. The corruption in Washington has gotten so disgusting that I’ve honestly wondered why I should even bother voting anymore. It seems like no matter who gets elected, everything gets worse and worse.
But this election season has surprised me. I’m actually excited to support three candidates. I know we probably disagree on quite a few things politically, but I’ve gotten to know them well enough that I trust their character and ethics, and I believe they’re running for the right reasons.
I’ve known Suzanne Gavenus for years through our jewelry store. She was a customer before she was a friend, and I’ve gotten to know her just through life. I have a hard time keeping up with people. Between the farm, the store and everything else, I barely have time for the friendships I already have. But Suzanne has always been one of those people who checks in on me, encourages me and takes an interest in what I’m doing. She’s supported our family business for years, and she’s been a good friend to me without ever expecting anything in return.
I know one of the talking points you hear all the time is that Democrats want to take our guns away. I have very strong Second Amendment views, so it’s been interesting having those conversations with Suzanne. We’ve actually gone shooting together, and she was excited to learn about firearm safety and got pretty good with her first pistol. We’ve had some really good conversations, and what I appreciate is that she’s willing to sit down and listen to why I feel the way I do, even when we don’t necessarily agree. With all the ugliness in politics this election season, I think we need more of that. It shouldn’t always be about red versus blue. It should be about humanity, compassion and genuinely caring about the people in our communities. I’m proud of the kind of race my friend is running, and I’m proud to vote for her.
I’ve also come to really respect Jamie Ager, both as a person and a fellow farmer. His family raises grass-fed beef using regenerative agriculture, and I admire the way they care for their land and animals. I’m still working toward some of those practices on my own farm, so I have a lot of respect for what they’ve built. I actually got to know Jamie when I helped design an anniversary ring for his wife, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know him beyond farming and politics.
During Helene, I remember seeing videos of the flooding on Jamie’s farm and his family trying to save their animals. I also kept hearing about the work he was doing to help people in his community, long before I knew he was running for office. I appreciate that he’s also been willing to take a stand against Flock cameras and data centers, issues I care deeply about.
That’s why the political attacks on him have made me so mad. I’m absolutely disgusted by the lies and propaganda being spread, including the fake AI-generated video and the criticism of his beef prices. We saw this same kind of crap directed at Thomas Massie, and I’m sick of it. As a farmer, I know how expensive it is to raise animals, especially when you’re committed to doing it the way Jamie does. I think it says a lot when people resort to misleading voters instead of having an honest conversation about the issues. I’m proud to call Jamie my friend and proud to vote for him.
And then there’s Frank Hughes III. I’ve seen how he listens to the people in his community and how passionate he is about advocating for them. I also appreciate his opposition to Flock cameras, because that’s something I’ve been very outspoken about myself.
I don’t know that I trust any politician completely, and I don’t think I should. I’m sure I’ll disagree with all three of these people about something, and if they get elected and start doing things I disagree with, I’m not going to pretend otherwise just because I supported them. I’ve seen too much of that from people who will defend absolutely anything as long as it’s their party doing it.
I’m also paying attention to the county races and supporting candidates who oppose Flock and Axon surveillance cameras. I don’t want our little mountain towns covered in cameras tracking where everyone goes, and I think local government is where we need to be fighting back. I want county commissioners who will stand against that kind of surveillance.
I don’t know how much any of these people can change, and I’m not going to pretend I suddenly have faith in the political system. But for the first time in a long time, there are people on the ballot I actually want to vote for, rather than just voting against someone else.
