James Rutledge III is a candidate for U.S. Senate from Maryland, looking to unseat incumbent Barbara Mikulski this year. The soul of his campaign is the defense of freedom, which is necessary to solve the problems created by over-reaching government in all aspects of American life.
Childhood
Mr. Rutledge was raised on a cattle farm in Harford County. He said, “My upbringing was very much oriented toward hard work and community service. My father was a veterinarian, so we had both the farm and veterinarian practice. It was all hands on deck with the whole family to keep both the family businesses going.”
“We are salt of the earth people, attended church regularly, and were involved with Boy Scouts and recreational sports. I learned that hard work, perseverance, honesty, and integrity would ultimately pay off.”
Education
Mr. Rutledge graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia before earning his law degree from the University of Maryland, graduating with honors in the top ten percent of his class.
Family
He has been married for 25 years to his wife Kim, and has two nearly grown children.
Experience
Mr. Rutledge currently has his own law practice in Jarrettsville. Over the span of his career, he has handled cases involving a diverse range of issues including constitutional law, eminent domain, civil rights, health care law, agricultural preservation, as well as working with the elderly and disabled, and Baltimore’s poor and disenfranchised.
He said, “My experience has given me a substantial view of how the Constitution gets argued, manipulated, twisted; and how off-track we’ve become from the original intent. It gives me a unique perspective that underpins my conservative credentials on being very serious about holding the line on federal power.”
His volunteer work in the community includes founding a Habitat for Humanity Chapter, working for the sight and hearing impaired in the Jarrettsville Lions Club where he served as President, and serving as a youth lacrosse coach for many years.
Mr. Rutledge also has experience in the realm of politics as an activist on behalf of conservative candidates during his ten years as an attorney in Georgia.
Military service
Mr. Rutledge comes from a family rich in military service. Having a brother, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and two cousins who served gives him a deep appreciation for the sacrifices for freedom made by our men and women in uniform.
Why Mr. Rutledge is running for office
“I determined after the inauguration that the handwriting was on the wall with what our senators and congressmen were going to do to us. This year is a special opportunity for Senator Mikulski to show her true colors. It is an opportunity to be in the senate for the first time in her career with a filibuster-proof majority and Democratic president. She now has the opportunity to pass bills that reflect her far left philosophies.”
“I passionately feel we need to have strong, bold leadership in Maryland to say we can stop the madness. We will not be ashamed of believing in individual freedoms and the Constitution. We have to recognize that the socialist, liberal policies will forever change America.”
“I already have a great and satisfying job, a successful law practice. I’m not looking for a career. There was a serious contemplation on my part as to what could I do to help spread the message in Maryland that we can set politics on a new path. I came to the conclusion that Senator Mikulski’s seat was such an opportunity for a new face to propose a better way. When I evaluated the options of finding a candidate to support or running myself, I recognized that the Republican Party in Maryland was facing some serious setbacks. We need to have an articulate challenge to Mikulski. I didn’t want to see conservatives not have a voice in the senate race. I wanted to build something that would be based on ideas and convictions.”
“I’m calling out to people who have not been previously involved to say this is the year to get involved. I’m a tea party type candidate. I’m Joe Citizen who stepped forward to say I believe in the citizen legislator. We need folks who aren’t looking for careers to offer themselves to serve.”
Influences in developing his political philosophy
At about age 30, Mr. Rutledge switched from Democratic to Republican, saying, “I had seen an irreversible shift in the Democratic Party to some very hard left policies, so that I couldn’t justify any more in my staying with the party.”
Mr. Rutledge describes himself as a Reagan conservative with Constitutional leanings.
“I was in high school after the 60s revolution, but I have a very clear memory of the civil rights struggles that had gone on in the 60s. That shaped my view of humanity as being God’s creation no matter what their skin color. Opportunity is critical, but the welfare state is not a good thing for people. So it became an issue of providing opportunity without forfeiting individual liberties in the process. That really brought me to pursue a career in law.”
“My campaign is an extension of an optimism that we can make a difference and share the American dream for all citizens if we stick to the basics of our liberties as framed out by our founders.”
Most important issues
Economy
“We need to provide a setting for good job creation. I am an advocate of tax cuts to stimulate the economy, not deficit spending which is counterproductive and destructive. I believe strongly in responsible spending and getting the government out of the regulatory business. Small business and entrepreneurship are front and center for long-term job creation.”
National security
“I believe strongly in having policies that look out for U.S. interests as number one. Energy independence really is a national security issue. We need to create energy using our resources here, utilizing domestic oil, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, and other alternative forms of energy. Terrorism is not a criminal problem, it is a national security threat. We need to stop having open borders that allow so many to live off the system. Citizenship is a very valuable thing.”
Individual liberties
“We must defend our right to be able to freely and boldly speak out on our viewpoints without any threat or notion that our government disapproves of our speech. On public education, we get educators more and more who want to indoctrinate children into a viewpoint of a big government, socialist system. We need to focus on the basics of reading, writing, math, and science, not continuing to spend money on socially driving people’s thought. It deprives parents of their fundamental right to educate their children.”
“What drives me most is my yearning for people to be free and informed, and for them to grab this unique opportunity to self govern before we get to a point that the government is controlling every aspect of our lives.”
Upcoming event
Dave Wallace of WCBM is sponsoring a “New Year Fundraiser for Rutledge” this Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Deer Park Center in Randallstown. The cost is $50 per person. RSVP to Dave Wallace at 410-984-2194 or Lisa Fitzhugh at 410-409-4246 or just show up!
Comments
Have you ever noticed that the Liberals have used these less than pictures of health to promote "Universal Health Care," as in Michael Moore, as in our esteemed Senator from Maryland? Do you want to be told which doctors, plans, etc. from people who look like they should be on "The Biggest Looser"?
I have listenend to many of Jim Rutledge's supporters. Their enthusiasm for his personal courage and Jim's sound and bold analysis of our 21st century challenges is exciting! Again and again his supporters say Jim's optimism for our state and nation is founded on his deep and abiding respect for human dignity. At the heart of his candidacy is a message of profound love for God's creation. Jim knows that the US Constitution is America's best vanguard. I urge you to his writings www.rutledgeforussenate.com
I spoke with Jim at our CC meeting last November. If every state in the United States had candidates like Jim, our nation would be so much better off. He needs every freedom loving Marylander to register to volunteer on his web site. I think Jim has a friendly demeanor and Constitutional heart. Go Jim Rutledge 2010! www.rutledgeforussenate.com
Mr. Rutledge's message must be heeded. Unburden our economy from these harmful, destructive regulatory burdens. Unleash the free market place.
2nd. Reduce the tax burden and we will inspire entrepreneurs. Go Jim Rutledge!
Thank you Ann Miller!
I am impressed with your writing and with Mr. Rutledge's comments. I'll keep following you both! I just went to his web site and I see he will be down my way on January 12th! I can't wait to shake his hand! Good Bye Barbara Mikulski and the Md trainwreck to socialism.
Thank you Ann Miller!
I am impressed with your writing and with Mr. Rutledge's comments. I'll keep following you both! I just went to his web site and I see he will be down my way on January 12th! I can't wait to shake his hand! Good Bye Barbara Mikulski and the Md trainwreck to socialism.
Jim Rutledge makes me know it is long past time for me to abandon the ship of the Democrats. They have forgotten their roots in the common man. Jim is a common man, he runs a business and makes a payroll. Our country is way off course I am canceling my Democratic registration and voting for Rutledge.
Jim Rutledge makes me know it is long past time for me to abandon the ship of the Democrats. They have forgotten their roots in the common man. Jim is a common man, he runs a business and makes a payroll. Our country is way off course I am canceling my Democratic registration and voting for Rutledge.
Just went to his website. Looks like a good man.
Jim looks like the guy who can beat Mikulski...we need people who have not been corrupted by the political process- Not another elected official. A man who has spent a lifetime respecting laws will respect the Constitution. Jim Win. Serve your time. Adhere to the Constitution then stand aside for another good citizen.
We conservatives must stick to principles, and Jim Rutledge is the man who can best articulate those principles of the Tea Party movement. Barbara Mikulski has no idea what she's up against. Marylanders, don't be fatalistic about this race, and instead dream big. After envisioning a competitive race, then work to make it happen. Everyone needs to step it up this time around. There are NO Democratic liberals that are safe in 2010.
I'm supporting Jim Rutledge all the way. I've known him for almost a year now and he is good family friends with some of my friends. He is honest and has integrity, but more importantly he is a principled conservative and will hold true to his word. He is a big supporter of civil liberties and rights. He is also against bureaucratic regulations and supports deregulation as well as supports small businesses. If I remember correctly he signed the Tax Payer Protection Pledge too. He will uphold his oath to the Constitution if elected.
His beliefs are non partisan. We need to break the party lines and get some conservative Democrats involved and get your Democrat friends to vote for Jim. Our country is going to hell in a handbasket and we are losing our freedom and liberties left and right. We need someone to put the brakes on and then reverse our direction by restoring the Constitution.
Ann Miller's article is well written. Jim Rutledge is a down to earth man with personal values that all of congress should have but don't. After talking with Jim and a small group last night I see our nation needs to get back to what our founders think and wrote in the Constitution of the United States. All of us can put back "We the People" in our government. Jim will have my vote come election day this year.
I have been keeping up with Jim Rutledge ever since I was reintroduced to him on Facebook. I like what he stands for and fully support him. Ann Miller has done an outstanding job presenting Jim to the people in her article. Now what we as Marylanders need to do is start anew in both the State and Federal Governements. We need to get Bob Ehrlich back in as Govorner and remove the long time spend and tax policies of our Democratic Senator Mikulski.
It's truley the eve of the new revolution and we need to carry through with it. Rutledge for Senate and Ehrlich for Govorner.
Jim may be ok but he is endorsed by AIP - not good. I prefer Vaughn. Rutledge is a bit narrow and won't appeal to the broader population like Vaughn will. "The Peoples Candidate
I think Jim has about 10 cheerleaders. Amedori has more and she just got in the race!
When I heard Rutledge at a meeting recently state that helping Brown win in Mass was probably a mistake, it really made me take notice that this guy is way out there and not a team player. He promotes himself as a Reagan Republican but such talk belies that notion and is insulting. I was thinking about supporting this guy but not anymore. I may not agree with Brown on everything but electing him killed the prospects of an easy pass on the healthcare bill and he has that right. I guess Rutledge would have rather had Coakley win. Go home and run for local office and learn something by doing so.
Boy, just learned about an exodus of Jim's supporters joining other campaigns, mostly Carmen Amedori's. Go Carmen!!
Eric Wargotz is nut. He is for the legalization of Pot. His campaign staff all quit so he hired Don Murphy, another lunatic. Jim Rutledge is condescending and out of touch with the people. And Amedori has a record for domestic violence. Vaughn is the only chance we have to get rid of Mikulski. He has true plans and solutions and knows the people of Maryland. He is available to the people and doesn't act as if he is a celebrity. Vaughn was protesting the Healthcare Bill in D.C. while Wargotz held a phone bank and tried to raise money. Who is more in touch with the people? Clearly Corrogan R. Vaughn.
Jim, how many young men have you had sexual encounters in restrooms with this month? That's right, there are no secrets.
I heard Jim Rutledge debate 3 other GOP Senate candidates at Leisure World and his matter-of-fact pro-American posture reminded me of the Late,great William F. Buckley Jr. After the debate I shook his hand and then went to my home and wrote him a check in honor of his pro-America message. I happen to be a registered independent but when given the chance to support/vote for a Ronald Reagan/William F. Buckley Jr. "clone" I'm voting Republican all the way in the case of the honorable Jim Rutledge and I would recommend that all people of any and all political pursuasions do likewise. If you believe in the real American dream, vote Rutledge for the U.S. Senate in November.
Jim is OK but I like Dr. Wargotz's message best. He has a solid grounding and a good track record on issues which matter to me.
I met Jim at a neighbor's fund raiser this past Friday evening, and was so impressed with his honesty, candor, intelligence and devotion to America that I pledged to help him win the Primary and General elections against Mikulski. There is no comparison between Mikulski and Rutledge; Jim Rutledge is the real thing - - - he's Maryland's version of Scott Brown and then some. Sure, we Marlanders need him to be our US Senator; but America needs him too. You have to hear and/or read his positions on jobs and the economy, the Constitution, tax and tort reform, and term limits to know why now is the time for all Marylanders to send Rutledge to the Capitol.
If you never voted before, now's the time to register and vote for Jim Rutledge. If you plan to vote for any other candidate, compare him or her with Jim Rutledge. Jim will be the first US Senator from Maryland in decades that we can say we're proud to have working for us in the Capitol. More details at www.RutledgeforUSsenate.com
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