How Congressman John Yarmuth Earned My Respect

For years, I rushed out to pick up my copy of the LEO (Louisville's Eccentric Observer) as soon as it hit the stands. Often, I read nothing more than founder, and then owner, John Yarmuth's column, which was worthy of my anticipation and justified the drive to get it. This man quickly won my interest by sharing my passions for politics, writing, and justice. He earned my respect by consistently delivering facts that I could trust, admirable ethics, and a crisp, snarky yet personal writing style that motivated the wannabe writer in me. I wasn't alone with my rave opinion of his writing style; he won 16 journalism awards and his paper received nearly 100 awards.

After years of reading this man's thoughts on most every topic important to me, and receiving courteous responses to the occasional messages I sent to thank him for sharing his views, I almost felt as though I knew him. When I stopped working and decided to take my writing seriously, I appealed to him for guidance. Without making me feel as though I had imposed or wasted his time, he asked for samples, and offered much welcomed, valuable critique. As time went on, I attended Mr. Yarmuth's speaking engagements, kept up with his work, ran into him at writing events, and observed his interactions with others in public. I listened carefully to what the friends we shared, and some people who had worked with him, had to say about this man. He was always kind and no one I met spoke an unkind or negative word about him. Even people who did not agree with his political views respected him.

As the political climate worsened and became a topic of discussion at most every gathering, John Yarmuth's name came up often. Did you see Yarmuth's column? I hope John takes that one on. I caught myself wondering what would John Yarmuth think.

It seemed absolutely logical and necessary to put John Yarmuth in a political office - any office. I suggested this to him once. Okay, more than once. I think I probably appealed to him with that suggestion under at least four email identities, one of them pleading, before suggesting it in person. He offered a sweet, humble smile and said, "I am not a politician."

Yet.

Apparently, I was not alone with this opinion either. I heard from others that they had made the same request. A few years later, he put his name on the ballot and ran as a politician, not as a husband and father, a member of any faith, or the typical unbelievable non-issue portraits many others use to annoy me because I need a politician, not a husband or father. He walked streets and talked to people in parts of this town that had long been forgotten, beat wadda-ya-mean-return-Delay's-laundered-money, Bush-yes-woman, Anne Northup, and is now my Representative in Congress. I don't know how much (if any) influence public demand had on his decision, but I will let this experience influence me to find and harass people I want to represent me. It makes perfect sense to do this instead of settling for the take-what-you-get system.

I could not be happier. I can finally put the graveyard shift c-span duty behind me and sleep again, knowing that I have someone in Washington to monitor those middle-of-the-night sneak-this-through-while-nobody's-watching pranks this administration is so fond of pulling. I know that my Representative shares my views at least 90% of the time, and my ethics 100% of the time. Having John Yarmuth on my side is like having a plastic surgeon and security system rolled into one; the bags under my eyes are fading and even if he can't stop the pranks, he will speak for and alert me.

He believes leadership is a combination of, "empathy, humility, and vision." He describes himself as a man who stands for, "truth, justice, and the American way," and says he is opinionated but enjoys challenges and honest discussion. The best part is that everything I have seen of this man tells me this is his truth, not rhetoric.

For those who prefer a more traditional bio, you can find one here. 

Government website 

Campaign Site  

Congresspedia   

John Yarmuth donates his $168,500 congressional salary to local charity 

Voting record 

Yarmuth Receives "Outstanding New Member" Award  

 Committees and Affiliations:

• House Committee on Education and Labor
• • Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
  • Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities
• House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
• • Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives
  • Subcommittee on National Security and International Relations