JOHN,
This is Jason Kander, and I want to talk with you about a very important opportunity we have right now to stand up for all of us here in Missouri.
Having served as Missouri’s Secretary of State from 2013 until 2017, and before that as a State Representative, I know what it takes to serve effectively in government. As an Army Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan, I have met and worked with people from all walks of life. But most importantly, I know what it takes to confront hard issues, and fight together for a better future for everyone.
That is the kind of commitment and dedication that makes Missourians proud. And that is what is so great about my friend Joe Pereles, who is running to flip a State Senate seat in St. Louis County red to blue: Joe is the kind of guy who will make us proud. A person with integrity, and grit. Someone with valuable experience serving others as a 37 year volunteer with the Red Cross, or delivering meals for a local food pantry.
Joe didn’t do any of that to advance a political career. He has served others his entire life because it was the right thing to do.
And now, because he saw the need, Joe has stepped up to run for State Senate. He is just the person we need in Jefferson City. And we have a chance to help elect Joe Pereles to the Missouri State Senate and change this state for the better.
In 2017, at the end of my term as Secretary of State, I delivered one final speech before the General Assembly. I still remember that speech—standing on the dais before a captive audience of folks who had made no secret of their disagreement with me and my values, I called for protecting Missourians’ right to vote and preserving our democracy, making an appeal to our better angels:
“Even though you have the power to take away the right to vote from the citizens of Missouri, you shouldn’t…but if you choose to [do so], well then: I guess we will see you in court.”
The current supermajority in Jefferson City is working harder than ever to do exactly what I warned about: take away the voice of the people, stripping us of our ability to be heard and to weigh in on many important policies that directly affect our lives.
And now, by electing Joe and flipping this seat, we will be on our way to end the supermajority in the State Senate, protecting our voting rights and getting things done in ways that will make all of us proud.
Folks, we have an incredible opportunity to end the chaos and stop the senseless attacks on democracy and majority rule. But this time, instead of saying “we’ll see you in court,” we say: “we’ll see you at the polls.”
This is a crucial time. I hope you will send Joe some support so that we can win this crucial State Senate seat. Please join me in supporting Joe Pereles:
