My late father was an Iowa farmer, a third-generation Republican. He also owned a hardware business. In 1974, the county GOP recruited him to run for county supervisor, equivalent to a county commissioner in Texas.
The following is his campaign stump speech, verbatim. It is a concise overview of Republican values, just as true today as 50 years ago. My own political beliefs are nearly identical.
A speech by Richard Kramer in spring 1974:
“The reasons for my seeking the position of Clay County supervisor as a Republican are many.
The people of this area have been good to me. Being a lifelong resident and being in a retail business for 15 years in this county has made me appreciate its people very much.
Now I want to serve them.
Then, too, a citizen should be willing to take the responsibility of an active part in governing of the land if he also wants the right to criticize the government.
At 43 years of age, I feel I could serve the people of this county many years, God willing and if the voters give me that privilege. Two of our children are self-supporting and away from home and our youngest is a junior in high school so family responsibilities do not take as much time as they once did.
Yet, even at 43, I feel that I am more qualified than any declared candidate to serve all the people of the county because of my past work experience. Besides 15 years’ business experience I have farmed five years as a renter and am presently farming as a landowner.
My political philosophy is the same as that stated by Abraham Lincoln; that is, government should do for the people only that which the people cannot reasonably do for themselves. And, I might add, it should try to do that as economically as possible.
It is my belief that we have a huge surplus of federal government, both in dollars spent and number of people involved. Our state government is reaching the same condition. Our county governmental structure should not operate with the idea of seeing how “big” it can get.
The present Board of Supervisors has done a commendable job of holding the line on expenditures in the face of rising costs and economic uncertainties. Because I own my own home as well as farmland and business property in Clay County, I am vitally interested in keeping property taxes within reasonable bounds and will try to see that all property owners are treated equally and fairly, if elected.
Through the efforts of many people, Clay County has a model mental health center as well as an alcoholic treatment center with excellent staff and I would hope to help keep it that way.
The county’s law enforcement department must continue to be kept up-to-date and strong. Let us all hope the day never comes that the residents of this county have to be afraid to leave the safety of their homes after dark.
On the subject of roads and highways, costs are skyrocketing and much thought and study will have to be made in order to maintain our present system and add needed improvements where necessary without increasing the budget. Maybe construction costs will back off, the way hog and cattle prices have for the farmer, but this is highly unlikely.
In conclusion, I can only promise to serve with all the honesty and integrity I can muster if elected as a Republican candidate for the Clay County board of supervisors and consequently a member of that board. No candidate for public office can promise more than that.
I urge everyone to vote on June 4 in the primary election. I hope everyone will study all the candidates and then see fit to include me in their vote.”
He was elected in a landslide and served honorably, with his core Republican values to guide him. After re-election, he imposed a term limit on himself and went back to the private sector. Well done, sir!
Scott S. Kramer is a Kendall County Republican.
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