This is the 7th and last of my columns to be published before the August 7th Primary.   I've enjoyed writing.   I hope you enjoyed reading them.

On the Campaign Trail
(No. 7, Aug 1th)

          My mom told me once that I will never lose any friends in politics, I will just find out who my friends are.   In this campaign, I have been overwhelmed with many kind gestures from my friends. I realize now that I have more friends than I ever imagined.  They have gone out of their way to encourage me, to support me, and to defend me.   I will be forever grateful.
August 7th, is the primary election. There will be seven candidates on the Republican ballot. When the votes are counted, I may or may not find myself at the end of the campaign trail.  If I have enough friends to carry me through the primary, my campaign will continue to the general election in November where I will face the Democrat candidate.

We have one of the best chances of winning, but this is going to be a close race.    Please, make your vote count.    Thanks again for your friendship. You will not be forgotten.

Tuesday August 7^th is the primary election.  If I win, I promise that you and your family will always be welcome in the Capitol.

The 6th column

On the Campaign Trail

(No. 6, July 25^th)

Several years ago I was listening to a Paul Harvey radio broadcast and he made this statement. “ … the Bible is the very best guide book for organized living in a civilized society …”

While I could never find his quote in print, I found lots of other quotes that compliment Mr. Harvey’s. One of those is from Noah Webster, “The most perfect truths and examples for regulating your social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best rules of morality, are to be found in the Bible. . . .” Our Founding Fathers shared the same beliefs.  So do I.

I consider myself a fairly well educated man. I have a broad collection of social and cultural experiences to draw from.  And if, at the end of this campaign trail, I find myself a member of the state legislature, I am confident that I have the resources I need to make the very best decisions.

My name is Bruce Sassmann and I will work for the common good of all men and pray for a healthy and prosperous future.

The fifth in a series

On the Campaign Trail
(No.5, July 18th)
 I wear a lot of hats in a variety of businesses and organizations, but I want to mention a couple that you probably didn’t know anything about.
 The Gasconade County Industrial Development Authority is an organization that I have been a member and officer of since its creation over a decade ago.   The Industrial Development Authority, IDA, was created by state legislation to be a special funding source used to attract and retain industry in the county.
 Another organization that provides financial assistance to business and industry in this area is the Meramec Regional Development Corporation.    I have also been involved with MRDC as an active member and officer for over a decade.   Our purpose is to provide funding for economic development.   As of May of 2012, we have administered over $23,500,000 in loans (not grants or gifts) to create or retain 2045 jobs in the Meramec region.
 I’d bet you didn’t know.
 My name is Bruce Sassmann, jobs have always been a priority, and I’ve been working for you for a long time. I will continue to work for the common good of all men and pray for a healthy and prosperous future.

On the Campaign Trail

(No. 4,  July 11^th)

            Why politics?     Our family has been in the funeral business for almost 100 years.  We are not elected, but we have always thought of what we do as a public service.   Much like government, we have a responsibility to care for every citizen, in a variety of situations, in full view of the public.   We are always on duty and always expected to respond.  We want the best for families and as friends we always wish we could do more.

For all of those 100 years we have also been involved in the community organizations.   My Dad was active in Church and on the school board.   My Brother was active in the Lions Club and community projects.   I got involved in city government.   I served as both Alderman and Mayor in my home town.   Most of the time it was a thankless job and I was an easy target.  But, there were a few seeds of progress sown.   The rewards are rarely immediate, but as time passes, a few of the projects I started eventually became a reality.   I know that I can make a difference.

My name is Bruce Sassmann, I have experience in local government, and I have always worked for the common good of all men.

www.brucesassmann@live.com   Paid for by “Friends of Bruce Sassmann”

My third column "On the Campaign Trail" is in this weeks paper.

On the Campaign Trail
(No. 3, July 4th)
 The expense of a campaign, even for a seat in the House of Representatives, is no small piece of change.    The race for the 62nd seat might even be more expense than most.   It is the most contested race in the state of Missouri.   There are seven republicans and two democrats campaigning for the same position.   Collectively, we will spend way too much money.   It seems like such a waste when there are so many other worthy causes.   Combine all of the political campaigns across the nation and I’m sure the figure would be staggering.
In my campaign there will be the cost for signs, cards, direct mail, newspaper ads, … I’m not sure where it will stop.
My wife and I talked about the expense of the campaign.   Jan compared it to a nice wedding.   There’s lots of preparation, plenty of stress, an expensive price tag, one day of extreme emotion, and then when it’s all over … you never know how long the marriage will last.
My name is Bruce Sassmann, I am prepared to make the commitment and the sacrifice.   It is my purpose to work for the common good of all men.

Here's the second of seven columns published in the local newspapers.

On the Campaign Trail
( No. 2 ,  June 27th)
I’ve been accused of being a tree hugger.   I wonder … I’m a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Forever, Missouri Trappers Association, Conservation Federation of Missouri, NRA, and the Missouri Prairie Foundation.   Does that make me a tree hugger?
Maybe it’s because I am passionate about scientifically based conservation.  Maybe it’s because I believe we should be good stewards of the land and our land use practices should be ethical and renewable.  Missouri’s diverse resources should be considered an intricate part of our natural heritage to be shared with future generations.
Last year over 3000 people visited our 120 acre Prairie Star Restoration Farm.    If each of the visitors that witnessed our restoration efforts wanted to call me a tree hugger, I guess that would be OK.
Missouri is a diverse matrix of urban, rural, agricultural, industrial, and natural areas. We are all connected, every piece and part, and every individual in it … even the tree huggers.
My name is Bruce Sassmann, I care about our natural resources, I will work for the common good of all men, and I will pray for a healthy and prosperous future.

On the Campaign Trail

(Intro, June 2Oth)

Here the first of seven columns I mentioned.   They will be published each week between now the the Primary election.   This first column is an introduction.   Next week the title of my column is "Tree hugger".

My name is Bruce Sassmann.   I am a republican candidate for a seat in the Missouri House of Representative from the 62^nd Legislative District.   For the next seven weeks I’ll share a little about the process and myself as we prepare for the Primary Election on August 7^th.

Every 10 years, after the census, the State legislative boundaries are redrawn.  The 2012 election process marks the beginning of those new legislative districts.   District 62 now includes all of Maries County and a portion of Gasconade, Osage, Crawford, Phelps, Miller, and Cole.   The north and south boundaries stretch from Highway 50 in Linn to I-44 between St. James and Rolla.   The eastern edge is the county line between Gasconade and Franklin counties.   The far west takes us to a corner on Highway 54 between Jefferson City and Eldon.

Tom Loehner, the representative of this district has reached the end of his term in the House of Representatives.  Now nine others, including myself, are working to fill the void.

Follow me, in this column or on the web, friend me on Facebook, or check out my blog post.   It’s going to be an interesting ride.   It will be a campaign to find the common good for the 62^nd legislative district.