Actscelerate.com

Methocostal

Congressman-Elect Ron Estes is College Frat brother and fellow Tenn Tech Alumn

Friendly Face Posts: 496 **4/12/17 9:02 am**

Unabashed "Name Dropping" Smile

I am proud to say my old Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity brother, Ron Estes, was elected Congressman for the 4th Congressional district in Kansas, (the Wichita area) to fill the seat vacated by the Director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo. Ron was a year behind me at Tech.

Ron has never come across as a glad handing politician. WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get. He has always been laid back and yet somehow gets elected. To put it like this, try as I may, I cannot come up with a single embarrassing episode that I could use blackmail him:) On the other hand, HE ......

He and I were both highly involved in Student Government at Tech. I believe he will be a good congressman. Ironically, we have both again ended up in government here in Kansas. It is pretty cool to have the private cell phone number of a member of Congress Smile

So there you have it, yes I am guilty of name dropping, but it is soooo cool Smile

Of all my frat brothers, the one I would have most expected to be Congressman was Dwight Henry. Dwight was Student Government President and was the first Student appointed to the Tennessee Board of Regents. Later, he became Mayor of Cookeville and a State Representative (or Senator, I forgot which). At around age 37, he ran for Governor of Tennessee and was unfortunately defeated. I cannot remember the person that beat him, but I do remember he owned liquour stores. Dwight owned a Christian radio station in Cookeville and was a Church of God Preacher. But, I digress. I wish Dwight would have returned to Cleveland and ran for Congress from that District.

On a broader scale, it is an important win for the Republican's. It was an election that should have had a more solid win, but I believe Ron suffered from the Trump publicity and a highly unpopular Republican Govenor of Kansas. Critics said Ron didn't campaign as hard as he should have and that may have been partially a result of his laid back personality. His oppenonet has vowed to run again, but I think he will do better in the next election as voter participation will be higher in a regular election and the Dems will not be as influential on a broader election.

Until then, Congratulations to Congressman Estes.

Nature Boy Florida

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **4/12/17 9:11 am**

I will be sure to pass my thoughts on upcoming votes to you and your "hot line".
_________________
Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because its the best thing going today!

Methocostal

Friendly Face Posts: 496 **4/12/17 9:28 am**

Well, I'm afraid he may be too busy to actually respond now Smile

Then, as a state employee, I'm prohibited from contacting the feds without a lot of paperwork. On the other hand, if he contacts me, I'm good to express my opinion Smile

To be honest, even though we were both highly involved in Student Government and members of the same Fraternity, we weren't really BFF's. We just ran in different circles. He was more serious and ran in the more traditional student government circles. I was a partier and was almost an anti student government member of student government. He looked like a Republican, I looked more like a musician. I had long hair to my back with a full beard. I looked like a "cool" guy, but was actually a member of the Young Republican's. I just didn't fit the mold. That's why a lot of people liked me. Now, I'm just fat, graying receding hair and almost totally gray (but well kept beard). Fortunately, I'm not as fat, gray and bald as Ron Smile

I was much closer to Dwight Henry. I didn't mean to imply Ron and I were best friends. I would truly understand if he couldn't get back to me if I did call him.

I know you were kidding about getting with me, but I'd probably have to register as a lobbyist if I did try to influence legislation Smile