Democratic Candidate Opposes Conservative Republican Incumbent for District 12 Seat.

07/08/05

Governor Kathleen Sebelius'  visit to Coffeyville, Kansas on July 8, 2005 preceded an announcement by Independence resident, James A. George that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the Kansas House of Representatives District 12 seat. The District covers most of Montgomery County, approximately half of the eastern portion of Chautauqua County and all of Elk County. Mr. George made the announcement during the Montgomery County Democratic Picnic honoring the Governor.  He received enthusiastic applause from the crowd that had gathered for the picnic and a fund raising auction at the Coffeyville Recreation Center.

Mr. George gave a brief speech stating that he was proud to be a resident of Independence and Montgomery County. He also said that as a native born and raised Kansan that he felt it was time to repay the blessings that he had been given and serve the people of Kansas.

Jim George, who is 48 years old, was born at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.  He was christened in The Nazarene church, of which his family are members.   His family moved to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1972.  In 1979, Jim joined the the United States Army.   During the 1980's, Jim called Texas home.  He pursued a career in zookeeping first in Abilene and subsequently El Paso.  In 1988, Jim began driving over the road for a company out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.   He returned to the "Sunflower State" in the 1990's and has called southeast Kansas home for the past fifteen years.  Jim George is the president and CEO of Tatman Productions LLC, which is the parent company for Skin Art Creations, Sekpress.net, Ablazable.com and Emerald City studio and gallery.  The company has been based in Independence, Kansas since 2002 and was previously located in Baxter Springs, Kansas. As an international award winning artist he creates under his professional name "The Gypsy" and has works displayed in museums and private collections worldwide.

Jim has a strong belief in God and country and feels that it is the duty of all Americans that when they encounter a wrong that they know must be righted that as citizens they are obligated to act.  Jim sites this and the belief that the people of District 12 are not getting the type of representation that they deserve in Topeka.  "The representative is and should always be a servant of the people." states Jim George.  Furthermore, Jim went on to say, "The people are the representatives' boss and as such, you do not make promises to your boss that are beyond your power to keep and expect to hold your position."

 Jim, and his wife, Debra, are concerned with many issues that Kansans and other Americans face today.  As great lovers of freedom, Debra, like Jim, was a member of the U.S. Army and was stationed oversees during the 1980's.  Jim and Debbie have a son who is president of the student body at ICC and another son stationed oversees in South Korea, as well as, children and grandchildren in Texas and Michigan.  Therefore, education, military, and family matters are of great concern and importance to them.  "Debbie is my strength, my inspiration, and, my worst critic."  We discussed at great length, the possibility of me representing the people of District 12.  Together we determined that this would be the best course of action to follow in order to be of assistance to our friends, neighbors, and family.  Jim feels that the most important part of his campaign will be responding to what the people want and are looking for in true representation. 

For further information about the campaign of James A. George phone 620-331-5938.