(Sioux City, IA) The Sam Clovis for U.S. Senate campaign announced today that conservative activist Chuck Laudner will take the position of Campaign Manager. “I am truly humbled to have such a respected operative involved in my campaign,” said the candidate. “Chuck is highly respected in Iowa and across the country for his knowledge of the political process. His hands-on approach with the day-to-day operations will help guide us through this crucial election.”
Chuck Laudner has experience in campaign management. He has managed several Iowa campaigns including those of Bill Salier and Congressman Steve King. He also served as King’s first Chief of Staff. Laudner served as Executive Director for the Republican Party of Iowa in 2007-2008 and directed that year’s Straw Poll and Caucus activities. In 2010, he was the campaign manager of the effort to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices. Most recently he supported Rick Santorum in his 2012 run for President. The attached op-ed from Laudner explains his belief in Clovis and the strong grassroots campaign that will be crucial in the months ahead.
“I had the opportunity to meet, work and win with Chuck on the Santorum campaign,” said Michael Biundo, Senior Strategist for Sam Clovis. “I know firsthand how much his addition to our team means. His knowledge of Iowa and statewide connections will help us to continue and build upon our momentum.”
Sam Clovis is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Tom Harkin. Harkin will be retiring at the end of this Congressional session.
Sam Clovis holds an MBA in Management and a Doctorate in Public Administration. He is currently a tenured full professor at a private liberal arts college in northwest Iowa. He served in the United States Air Force for 25 years and still provides leadership to defense and homeland security institutions. He lives in Hinton, IA with his wife Charlotte and stepson Khan. More information on the candidate and his campaign may be obtained at www.samclovis.com.
OP-ED: My Support for Sam Clovis and his U.S. Senate Campaign
By: Chuck Laudner
Immediately after the 2002 elections, then Congressman-elect Steve King and I were summoned to Washington, D.C. for orientation. For several days leadership of the US House of Representatives corralled the 53 newly elected freshmen and their prospective Chiefs of Staff into session after session – everything from House rules to the office space lottery. Deluged with binders full of job seeker resumes, ethics requirements and office equipment salesmen, it was a whirlwind couple of weeks.
But it wasn’t all just finding the light switches. There was, of course, the indoctrination along with the orientation. On one day, just the Republicans were gathered in a large committee room to hear a series of tutorials from leadership and their whip team. One particular speaker let us in on the key to a long successful tenure in Congress. He strongly suggested that we keep our heads down and to pick one issue and become the expert. And if these freshmen followed their leadership and honed in on that one thing, then maybe in 10 or 12 years, you might have a bill passed with your name on it. I’m not kidding.
I looked over at King, who had obviously stopped listening long before, and thought there is no conceivable way that leadership is going to keep this Congressman from tackling all of the issues all of the time. With all due respect, I’m sure, Congressman King went a different route. He hired only rock-ribbed social and fiscal conservatives (personnel is policy) and then went to work on each and every issue important to the citizens of his district.
This anecdote is more than just my own teachable moment. It speaks to the most important factor in choosing a candidate after all the issue boxes have been checked: Trust. In the 2014 election for US Senate, I trust Sam Clovis.
I firmly believe that we need to set the bar very high in this election. Not only is this the first open Senate seat in decades, it comes at such a critical time. I, for one, believe that this deep partisan divide is leading somewhere. I believe our Senator’s abilities should match the stakes. And that’s why the trust factor is so important.
Sam Clovis is devoutly pro-life. Sam is for the abolishment of the federal tax code. He is for limited government. Peace through strength, the 2nd Amendment, local control of education, the repeal of Obamacare, are all in Sam Clovis’ agenda. But is that enough? Is it enough to simply repeat the words in campaign-style bullet points?
No, it is not. The reason I am supporting Sam Clovis for US Senate is because he understands how each of these issues fits under the banner of American exceptionalism. As long as I’ve known Sam, he has been on the front lines of the political struggle. I trust the man who says “follow me” toward true conservatism, not “me too.” Only Sam Clovis has the breadth and depth on the issues that gives me faith he will not become the indoctrinated freshman.
Iowa must take this opportunity to promote our best. When Supreme Court judges are being confirmed, we need someone who can confidently defend our Constitutional liberties. When lawlessness permeates the Administration and its bureaucracy, we need someone who will win the battle, not merely fight it. When Americans are being humiliated by their government we need a champion. Sam Clovis possesses the vigilance necessary to protect our rights and the courage to clarify where those rights come from.
There is an obvious disconnect between the words in our platform and action in Washington. The platform we build cannot simply be an exercise – it must mean something. And become real. Sam supports our shared conservative agenda and the good folks who live it every day. And for this very reason, I wholeheartedly trust and endorse Sam Clovis for US Senate.
Photo credit: Dave Davidson – Prezography.com
