AJ Massey is the choice for conservative Republicans | Opinion
Editor's note: We are allowing a supporter of each candidate for Republican nominee Madison County Mayor to write an opinion piece in support of their candidate of choice. Primary election day is Tuesday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
As a life-long conservative Republican, I am excited to support AJ Massey for county mayor in the Republican Primary. Like many of you, I’ve known AJ and his family a long time – it’s been just over 30 years since we were schoolmates. His mother-in-law was even my sixth-grade teacher. While we haven’t recently run in similar circles, I was especially thankful for his willingness to serve on the school board with other business leaders, helping to bring valuable experience and unity to our community while tensions were high and challenges were tough. Our schools have suffered from political divisions too often in the past at the expense of our kids.
A fellow Republican re-connected us in January. After hearing why he wanted to run for Mayor and what he stood for, it was clear to me that AJ was the best choice to lead our county. He has conservative West Tennessee values. He is pro-life and is both socially and fiscally conservative. He is in favor of limited government, lower taxes, the rule of law, individual freedom, and human dignity. He is a family man who coaches his kids and serves as a deacon at his church. He has found success during a long banking career in the private sector, and although he’s voted Republican his entire life, he’s new to party politics. He’s not a career politician, and he’s exactly the kind of person the Republican Party looks to attract to run for public office.
The opportunities that will be available to Madison County over the next few years and decades are significant, and we could have no better mayor to represent Republicans and our county than AJ Massey, a hometown favorite who represents the best of West Tennessee values.
During his banking career and while serving on the school board, AJ has been able to work well with people from all walks of life with a simple motto of his faith: love God and love others. This is why he’s been able to work so effectively on the school board with people from very different backgrounds and who have very different political beliefs. He has never compromised his conservative beliefs, and has worked to find common ground to chart a path forward for our community.
This is who AJ is. Thousands of people attest to this.
AJ launched his campaign in December, and the number of Republican supporters began to swell with the excitement for our future. As the leading candidate, AJ became the target of a small group who had already thrown their support behind a career politician running in the primary – a primary they thought would be uncontested. The popular conservative newcomer had become a threat.
The result? In the last few weeks, this small group has spread false and deceitful half-truths about AJ that have attempted to redefine his life. They have taken his experience of working with people from all walks of life and twisted those successes into political lies. It’s a desperate and disgusting attempt to manipulate and take advantage of uniformed Republican voters. This type of approach may work in national politics, but far too many people in this community know AJ and his family and can directly dispute these lies.
AJ’s response? His faith has required that he take the high road. He will not respond in like kind. He will not spread lies for his own personal political career, and will not speak ill of his opponents. Read the top of this commentary again.
It’s said that “actions speak louder than words.” So what truth can we find in the recent actions of the candidates? We see a stark difference in how people will treat others and how people will lead. We see who lives out the values they profess and who does not. To anyone who has all the facts, the difference is clear. We need a Republican whose faith and character will unify our county behind conservative ideals and who brightens our horizons.
Fellow Madison County Republicans, the choice is really this simple. Say “no” to divisive, dishonest, and manipulative politics. Say “yes” to honesty, character, and decency. Say “yes” to conservative West Tennessee values. Say “yes”, and vote AJ Massey for Mayor.
James Kirkland grew up in Jackson, is a local businessman and a life-long Republican.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: AJ Massey is the choice for conservative Republicans | Opinion
