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Kevin Dellicker for U.S. Congress

Reflections on the Race

I am sitting at my desk procrastinating my preparation for tomorrow’s Congressional debate. The format requires one-minute answers followed by 30-second rebuttals. Since I like to tell stories and add context before making a point, this will be a challenge for me. So instead of trying to speak in bullets, I am putting my thoughts on paper without restraint. Perhaps that will provide clarity to craft the soundbites that contemporary politics demands.

When I am out campaigning, the first question I usually receive is, “Why are you running?” I expect to get that question in tomorrow’s debate. My answer has evolved over time.

During the past four years, I was a student in an online seminary program at Liberty University. I took one class every eight weeks until I completed my Master of Divinity degree last December. At the start of each class, the professor would ask the students to describe their plans for work after graduation. My classmates always seemed so confident: they would be pastors in a local congregation, missionaries overseas, or leaders of exciting ministries. I always just said, “I don’t know.

Then one day, about 16 months ago, I was preparing to lead a weekly Bible Study at my church on the book Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. During the Battle of Britain in World War II, Lewis had given a series of radio broadcasts on the BBC about what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. After the war, he turned those transcripts into the book, which has become a masterpiece of Christian apologetics.

As I was re-reading the book for probably the fifth time, I encountered following passage: “some Christians- those who happen to have the right talents- should be economists and statesmen…and that their whole efforts in politics and economics should be directed to putting, ‘Do as you would be done by’ into action.”

Those words humbled me. I realized that my modest upbringing, extensive education, and diverse experiences had given me the “right talents” to help people. And implementing the Lord’s “Golden Rule” within the framework of the U.S. Constitution seemed like the best possible goal of any political leader. I resolved to offer myself as a “Christian Statesman:” a follower of Jesus in a secular world, working to make a positive impact on the lives of my neighbors.

Soon after that experience, I witnessed the House, the Presidency, and the Senate fall under Democratic control. Instead of leading the nation to normalcy after years of pandemic tragedy, political divisiveness, and economic turmoil, Washington Democrats lurched to the left. I knew that unless Republicans took back control of Congress quickly, America would not soon recover from the Democrat’s disastrous progressive policies.

Meanwhile, my Congresswoman Susan Wild was presenting herself as a bipartisan problem-solver, even as she voted with progressive Democrats almost 100% of the time. I realized that she is weakest where I am strongest: on national security, economic policy, and protecting the American family. And although she is a formidable campaigner with the full backing of the Democratic establishment, I understood that she was vulnerable. Flipping PA-7 from Democrat to Republican might be the deciding factor in restoring Republican control of Congress. That’s why I decided to run for U.S. House of Representatives.

Then around last February, I started to talk with different people about my intentions. Most of the people who knew me were very encouraging, although more than a few thought it was too daunting a task. But I was admittedly surprised by the reaction I received from local and statewide political leaders.

While some were supportive, many were not. Their advice often went something like this, “Kevin, we already have a candidate. Lisa Scheller is wealthy, well-known, and she has the backing of the Republican political establishment. You are just messing up our plans. I urge you not to run.”

One of the local Republicans who delivered that message admitted that he didn’t even look at my resume before asking me to not to run. Today, I understand that most of them didn’t. Qualifications were not a factor in their consideration. They think you must be rich, famous, or a professional politician to win an election. I’m out to prove them all wrong.

I’m going to win because Republicans don’t want elites choosing their leaders and telling them how to vote.

I’m going to win because Americans still believe in the ideals of our Founding Fathers, that their representatives should reflect their own hometown values, and that they should serve briefly and then return to their homes and families.

I’m going to win because voters are smart, and they can recognize hypocrisy.

I’m going to win because money can’t buy grassroots support or volunteer commitment.

And I’m going to win because the common sense of ordinary Americans is still more powerful than the schemes of the elites.

So, there you have it. I want to:

  1. Demonstrate Christian leadership in a secular world;
  2. Defeat Susan Wild and restore the Republican majority in Congress; and
  3. Prove that ordinary Americans still have a say in their government.

Summing it all up, I arrived at my campaign slogan. I’m running for office to Keep American Free.

Now I just have to figure out how to say all that in one minute.

Sincerely,

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Kevin Dellicker, from Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, is a Republican running for United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 7th District. He owns a technology company and is a 26-year veteran of the United States Armed Forces. To learn more about his campaign visit www.dellickerforcongress.com.  

Military information and photos of Kevin in uniform do not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense, Air Force, Army, or National Guard.

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