Rick Vandeven - Libertarian For US Representative (MO-8)

I was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1972, and grew up in the Chaffee area where I still reside with my lovely wife and three beautiful and talented daughters. I have been employed in the paper industry for the past 14 years and am a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church. In my spare time I support my local parochial school, listen to and perform music, and read. This is my second run for U.S. Congress as the Libertarian Party candidate. In 2010 I was endorsed by the Boston Tea Party and received an "A" rating from the Gun Owners of America. Since my last campaign I supported the opposition to the smoking ban in Cape Girardeau, gathered signatures for the Show-Me Cannabis initiative, was elected to the Missouri State Libertarian Party Executive Committee, and recently won the Champion of Freedom Award. I hope that my candidacy helps to advance the cause of individual liberty. I welcome your questions and comments. Thank you for reading!

It's Better To...

Posted Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at 8:23 PM

LP Presidential candidate Gary Johnson and me

"It's better to..."

First of all I want to thank my beautiful wife of 20 years, Darlene, for her continued support and encouragement. She has been witness to the highs and lows of running a Libertarian campaign in an establishment GOP stronghold district. Darlene has marched in parades, handed out flyers, worked tents in the infamous Southeast Missouri summer, suffered through forums where we drove 4 hours to get the "opportunity" to speak for 7 minutes, and helped me head for the hills after speeches when the audience was on the verge of lynching me.

I also want to thank my daughters Autumn, Amber, and Rori Beth for being so patient while I played politician. My family has sacrificed a lot for something that we all believe in. It is going to be wonderful to help with homework, go to school functions, and cheer at singing competitions instead of answering endless questionnaires from special interest groups that never got read.

I also want to thank my friends Greg Tlapek, Cisse Spragins, Glenn Nielson, Mike Bozarth and the rest of my fellow members serving on the Missouri Libertarian Executive Committee. We are a dedicated group, and we are making some positive strides in the advancement of the cause of individual liberty.

Kudos to some wonderful people I met on the campaign trail: Dirk Shea, Don Eagleman, Pam Grow Justin Todt, Tom "Yusha" Sager and Skyler Miller. I want to send a special note of appreciation to Mike Evans, host of "America's Voice" for having me on his show, and endorsing my campaign.

Thanks also to Larry Bill, Jack Rushin, and Bob Parker for their efforts to unseat the 32 year entrenched Emerson Machine.

I am proud that 10,455 people agreed with me that the welfare/warfare state is violent and unsustainable. Very, very special thanks to all of you who voted for peace!

I will not be running for US Representative in 2014. It has been a very educational experience, and I have no regrets. It is time for me to stop dabbling in the black arts of politics. I am going to burn out, fade away, and protect my family.

In liberty,

Rick Vandeven

2012 Libertarian Party Candidate

US Representative (MO-8)

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you got my vote and you had a very very good showing!! congrats..

-- Posted by peter_grant on Thu, Nov 8, 2012, at 2:43 PM
Rick,

You got my vote again this time. Sorry that you won't be running in 2014. Thanks for saying what you believe. We need more people willing to do that running for office.

-- Posted by justbob on Thu, Nov 8, 2012, at 6:34 PM

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