Standing up & voting for the American Dream.
Last weekend, our campaign joined forces with our brother and sister campaigns—Antonio Daza, Micheal Garza, and Tracey Verhoeven—for a joint kickoff event in Woodstock: VOTESTOCK!
Despite some drizzly April weather, we had a great turnout, some great conversations (with Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between!), and a ton of fun. Except for one very wet dog in my car afterwards, I'd say it went off without a hitch!
And what's more, we demonstrated that putting voters first worked out best for everyone.
The genesis of this joint campaign event was the simple realization that it would be easier for our supporters and potential voters to make time in their busy lives for a single event rather than for four separate kickoffs. The result not only let people come out and learn more about kindred candidates and campaigns, but it allowed us to split event costs and actually raise money where most campaigns lose it!
Votestock was also a great opportunity for all four candidates to reach a wider audience and explain more about what motivates them as candidates. So, I’d like to share my speech from the event—you can watch a video of the speech-as-delivered or read my script, below. I’d love to know what you think:
Good afternoon, Woodstock and thank you all for coming out to VOTESTOCK!
My name is JD Jordan. I’m an awesome dad, a killer novelist, a product-design unicorn, and a cancer survivor. And I’m running for Georgia’s State Senate district 56, to better represent East Cobb, Roswell, and Woodstock!
I’d like to share some thoughts with you about “Big Picture” concept: The American dream.
It's a lofty and ambitious set of ideas. And I don’t think it’s a radical notion that the American Dream should be equally accessible to everyone—not just to those of a certain gender, who observe a certain religion, who subscribe to a certain political ideology, or who are related to certain legislators.
To facilitate that dream, our Founders made sure—before any amendments about free speech, guns, or even voting rights—that our Constitution recognizes—not awards, but recognizes—our inherent rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
For all of us.
That's a hell of a promise. And it's one our country has long struggled with delivering. But here, in Georgia—in the only one of the original thirteen colonies in which slavery was banned and in the state that later gave rise to the Civil Rights Movement—I reckon we're used to taking up the fight for these cardinal rights. When we see injustice and government overreach and the infringement of civil rights, we stand up. And we vote.
Say that with me, will you? What do Georgians do in the face of injustice?
We vote.In the face of government overreach?
We vote.In the face of any infringement of our or our neighbors’ civil rights?
We vote.Several of us today—me included—are running for office because our opponents, through word deed, have demonstrated that they respect their own privilege over their neighbors’ fundamental rights.
They've fought to restrict LGBTQ equality, they've revoked reproductive rights, and they've taken the reins of our public schools and libraries out of the hands of professional educators and parents and put them into the hands of elected know-nothings. All in the name of their privilege.
The Stoic philosopher Epictetus reminds us, “It is not in our control to have everything turn out exactly as we want.” And that can be frustrating, but it's ok. Because Jesus, according to Matthew's gospel, reminds us to, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
And that sounds a lot like how the American Dream can be made real, to me.
That as I have control over how I live my life, how I exercise my liberties, and how—and with whom—I pursue my happiness, so too do each of us have equal rights to the same. Because whatever we each choose—so long as we're not hurting ourselves or anyone else—that’s the American Dream.
But maybe that's just me. Maybe some of our legislators haven't read Epictetus. Or Jesus.
My name is JD Jordan. I hope you'll swing by my tent and say, “hi”. I'm super charming and family is a riot—we'll have a great time together. And I hope—above all else—that's you'll join me at the polls this November to remind our legislators what happens when Georgians stand up and vote for the American Dream.
Thank you so much to everyone who came out and especially to those who supported our campaigns! We’ll absolutely host a joint event again soon!
JD JORDAN FOR GEORGIA STATE SENATE DISTRICT 56
For anyone in East Cobb, Roswell, or Woodstock alarmed by the state’s escalating attacks on our bodies, our families, our doctors’ offices, our classrooms and libraries, even our polling places, I’m running for state senate district 56 to fight for our freedoms and to deliver a better future for everyone in Georgia.
And unlike my opponent who’s spent 14 years rolling back our freedoms, failing to safeguard our kids, and gerrymandered his district to stay in office, I promise to bring everyone in the 56—regardless of ideology—the best possible constituent experience so you feel heard, valued, and supported. As we all deserve to be.
I’m running for the 56. Let’s make a better Georgia for all of us.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
Jordan For Georgia, LLC
10800 Alpharetta Hwy Ste 208 #629
Roswell, GA 30076-1467
jdjordan@forthe56.com
706.804.0456
