Jackson County Exec LeVota Explains Election Decision

For the most diehard followers of 12th & Oak we want to share an important response to our blog community.

As always, we welcome all constructive criticism and good faith responses to our work and this note qualifies meets both criteria. 

More to the point and something that voters should note . . .

EXEC LEVOTA SLAMS STACY LAKE & REVEALS THAT THE DEARTH OF QUALITY CANDIDATES INSPIRES HIS CHOICE TO HOLD ONTO HIS COURTHOUSE JOB!!!

Again, we're sharing this clap back prominently because it really does offer a behind the scenes vantage of 12 & Oak politics. 

Finally . . . From our vantage there are all manner of "broken promises" and some aren't that big of a deal like an election campaign choice . . . Others are more important like broken healthcare pledges about keeping the family doctor or the strange idea that making America great starts with an ground invasion of Iran. But I digress . . . 

Here's what Exe LeVota has to say . . .  

Note From Jackson Exec Phil LeVota On Running Again

For the record, I was not interested in serving one day as County Executive and not even the remainder of the term until I listened and learned that we needed someone who could go in and make changes on day one. It is a tough, thankless job that I am still finding problems still. And I was the one that mentioned I would only serve the remainder of the term and not run for reelection because I wanted to get in and work and be able to get the ship on the right course to pass on to someone who would continue to improve building confidence in Jackson County. 

Of course, I never promised to work this hard to get things going in the right direction and just stand by and not care who would follow me and how that would affect the county. When the only person running is Stacy Lake who is just not qualified or experienced and would be a gigantic step backwards in what I have done and many say maybe even worse than the former administration. If folks are going to hold me to what I promised to, we ought to get the whole scenario of what I said and what I believed then and now. It is the same position I am in and my concerns are what is best for Jackson County.

I always was clear that I wouldn't run and would hand it off to a quality candidate. I never blindly agreed to put in all of this work to just walk away if the future executive was as bad as the people who have filed.  And no one believed that I should just not even reconsider when me not running means that Stacy Lake would be unopposed. I don't care how anyone wants to spin I "broke a promise" but I will not let the people of Jackson County down and stand by to not consider the future. That is political malpractice for me to not even consider running. 

And my discussion of not running was only to the members of the legislature and not to the people of Jackson County and many of those on the legislature, who have worked with me, are some of the loudest ones encouraging me to reconsider.  And just a decision to run, doesn't mean a candidate would win. It just means the voters get to evaluate all candidates.  This is about democracy and the people of Jackson County should choose who they want and no one should ever be prohibited, shamed, or belittled to utilize that constitutional right to run for office. Things change. More information is found out. Positions can evolve.  That is what smart people do. That is not breaking a promise. It is looking out for the best interests of Jackson County.
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