Today, May 18th, was the Republocrat primary in Pennsylvania. The campaign covered as many of the polling stations as possible, and reports are still coming in as to the success of signature gathering at the polling exits. The day was marked by rainy, bone-chilling weather and low turnout that probably was between 15-20%, though this is just my unofficial guess.
My sincere thanks for the help at the polls from about 40 or more volunteers to gather ballot access signatures. I personally managed to about 165 signatures today, most of them at the incumbent’s home polling station. This campaign ride has been awesome so far, and its all due to the volunteers’ help. I am so thankful and humbled by the support in this struggle against the Establishment and the tyranny it represents. We still need plenty of help collecting signatures, feel free to check out this webpage for further details.
Since May 1, 2009, when this campaign started I have remained independent and unaffiliated with any party, and have had to explain this many times to members of both parties. Many of them pledged to support me heavily, but only if I ran Republocrat. Some of the disadvantages with primaries are:
- The parties typically endorse candidates and then handout flyers on their behalf everywhere. In Pennsylvania, the local Republican Party endorsed the incumbent… back in September or so. Apparently the PA Republican party believes its voters need to be instructed on who to vote for in their primaries – which are paid for at taxpayer expense. (Remember that other parties pay for their own primaries or nomination process.)
- Supervoters tend to decide primary elections, and often tend to favor incumbents due to name recognition.
- In Pennsylvania anyone listed on a primary ticket is barred from appearing in the November general election as an independent.
- Quite frankly, most people are following other pursuits – like their jobs and families – at this time of the year. The parties keep the election on working days instead of Saturdays for this reason.
- Appearing in the November election allows more time for the campaign to reach more people with the message.
- Nationally, around 40% of the population is not represented by either the Republicans or Democrats and cannot vote in PA primaries. This voting bloc is already disenfranchised with the two-headed, one-party system and is obviously much more supportive of candidates like myself.
Thanks again to all supporters of this campaign! I am more and more encouraged everyday by letters like the one below and from my personal conversations. In Liberty, Jake
“Hello, I would like to support Jake Towne… Thank you for giving me a shread of hope for the change this country so desperately needs.
“I think once people learn who you are, they won’t have any problem with supporting you. I hope that some day politics in America will be no longer about money and corporate agendas, a government that represents the hardworking citizens in this country… From the bottom-up we can make America a republic once again.”
May 19th, Wednesday Talk “Nullification - The Forgotten Check and Balance to the Federal Government”
Time: 7 PM
Location: Upper Perkiomen Senior Center, 517 Jefferson Street between 5th and 6th Streets in East Greenville MAPQUEST
Jake will present a short review of the history of nullification, past examples, and its critical role in asserting state sovereignty in today’s political climate.
Friday, May 21st, Antiwar Protest in Allentown
Time: Noon to 1 PM
Location: Outside the Lehigh County Courthouse and Federal Building, 5th & Hamilton Streets, Allentown, 18101 MAPQUEST
A peaceful protest and handing out flyer event, usually attended by a few veterans.
May 24, Monday “Towne” Hall in Bethlehem
Time: 7-9 PM
Location: 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020 SITE MAPQUEST
Jake will briefly introduce himself and then take questions from the crowd. A notary will be present to notarize nomination papers for Jake’s ballot access.
June 6th, Sunday Fun-Raiser at American Sandwich Company
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: 7001 ROUTE 309, American Sandwich Company, Fairmont Village Shopping Center, Coopersburg, PA 18036 MAPQUEST
See press release here for some details. More details to follow but we will have a fun-filled agenda!! This will be the first campaign fundraiser. The event will be held 6:00 to 8:30 PM on Sunday, June 6th. To reserve a spot, you can
1) Donate $25 here per person online and send an email to towneforcongress@gmail.com to RSVP and make sure we reserve your spot.
2) Mail a $25 check using this form made payable to Towne for Congress, PO Box 22542, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002
3) Pay with cash or check on the day of the event, but please RSVP with towneforcongress@gmail.com with your name(s), phone number and address to reserve your spot.
