John Farmer, Democratic Challenger to Billy Long, Speaks in Stone County
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March 1, 2018
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John Farmer de la Torre speaks to assembled Democrats in Kimberling City on Thursday, February 22. Framer is challenging Billy Long for US Congressional District 7, which includes Stone County.
Isaac Estes-Jones
John Farmer de la Torre spoke to over 40 people at RT’s Restaurant in Kimberling City on Thursday, February 22. The room was packed with people gathered from Stone, Barry and Taney counties. A representative for the restaurant said they were expecting 20 people; more than double that number showed up to listen to Farmer. Farmer is the Democratic challenger to Billy Long for US Congressional District 7, which covers 10 counties in southwest Missouri.
Farmer, originally of Mansfield, works as a journalist, and appears weekly on KSGF as a respondent. He also worked on Wall St., taught in China and worked as a television producer in LA. But, “I had issues with what I saw on Wall St. and in LA,” Farmer told the assembled crowd.
“I thought I would become a journalist. I thought I could be independent and get to come back home. I was doing research for my Masters in journalism at Mizzou when 2016 happened. When the election happened, I got to thinking with my background, I might have something to offer,” Farmer said of his journey from producer to journalist to candidate.
Over the course of about an hour and a half, Farmer highlighted his background, his family’s roots, and his policy thoughts. Farmer demonstrated a sweeping set of opinions on issues important to Democrats and people in the Ozarks, at least in his view.
“What are the issues,” Farmer asked. “From my view, what I’ve seen, I think Congress isn’t working for us.” Farmer specifically spoke against the recent tax bill, saying that, “$128 billion pays for a lot, and we just gave it away.” Farmer also said, “policy-wise, I’m a progressive Democrat. The policies I’m interested in are for the people.”
Throughout his speech and the question session that followed, Farmer was willing to point out that he is not a legal expert. “When I’m elected, I will have access to the legal advisors that know the ins and outs of the legal code. I know what I want to do, but the specifics of how the law would have to be worded, I’ll need help on,” Farmer said, adding, “I know that’s how it is with most people when they first get to Congress.”
Specific to Stone county and other rural areas, Farmer spoke about bringing high speed internet access to all local areas. “Any business can succeed if it finds its niche and can market that product. Someone in a small town could make a specific part and market it. But, that requires broadband. There is no reason to let the digital divide grow. I want to make good on all of the promises to expand broadband.”
On Friday, February 20, Farmer published the following comment on his Facebook profile: “Thank you to everyone from Taney and Stone County and beyond who braved the rain and fog last night to talk together about our needs from Congress. I was impressed by the large turnout, about 50 people, and glad to present my vision of healthcare for all, living wages and economic development programs to rebuild the middle class, and a defense of people and democracy. The energy was excellent, the questions pointed and appreciated, and the fellowship encouraging. I’ll be back soon to work with you to organize and get out the vote. Turnout is key my friends, and maintaining our optimism. It is not naive to believe we can meet our needs as a society through group action, but we have to work for it! #BlueWave.”
In addition, Farmer said, “The message I’d like to get out is that Republicans and Democrats have the same problems and the solutions to those problems are non-partisan. I hope that Republicans are willing to entertain a Democrat this year as they have in previous years.”
“The meeting room at RT’s was filled to capacity with concerned citizens from Stone, Taney and Barry Counties. A question and answer session followed in which he displayed a wide spectrum of knowledge on a variety of issues,” said Sally Richardson, secretary with the Stone County Democrats in a statement. “Following [Farmer’s] presentation, a short business meeting was held by the Democratic Central Committee of Stone County. Volunteers were signed up to help at the Kimberling Area Recycle Center and in the future to aid in litter pickup for their adopted section of Route 13,” the statement concluded.
More information about Farmer can be found at http://www.farmerfortheozarks.com.
Information about Billy Long can be found at http://www.billylongforcongress.com.
John Farmer de la Torre spoke to over 40 people at RT’s Restaurant in Kimberling City on Thursday, February 22. The room was packed with people gathered from Stone, Barry and Taney counties. A representative for the restaurant said they were expecting 20 people; more than double that number showed up to listen to Farmer. Farmer is the Democratic challenger to Billy Long for US Congressional District 7, which covers 10 counties in southwest Missouri.
Farmer, originally of Mansfield, works as a journalist, and appears weekly on KSGF as a respondent. He also worked on Wall St., taught in China and worked as a television producer in LA. But, “I had issues with what I saw on Wall St. and in LA,” Farmer told the assembled crowd.
“I thought I would become a journalist. I thought I could be independent and get to come back home. I was doing research for my Masters in journalism at Mizzou when 2016 happened. When the election happened, I got to thinking with my background, I might have something to offer,” Farmer said of his journey from producer to journalist to candidate.
Over the course of about an hour and a half, Farmer highlighted his background, his family’s roots, and his policy thoughts. Farmer demonstrated a sweeping set of opinions on issues important to Democrats and people in the Ozarks, at least in his view.
“What are the issues,” Farmer asked. “From my view, what I’ve seen, I think Congress isn’t working for us.” Farmer specifically spoke against the recent tax bill, saying that, “$128 billion pays for a lot, and we just gave it away.” Farmer also said, “policy-wise, I’m a progressive Democrat. The policies I’m interested in are for the people.”
Throughout his speech and the question session that followed, Farmer was willing to point out that he is not a legal expert. “When I’m elected, I will have access to the legal advisors that know the ins and outs of the legal code. I know what I want to do, but the specifics of how the law would have to be worded, I’ll need help on,” Farmer said, adding, “I know that’s how it is with most people when they first get to Congress.”
Specific to Stone county and other rural areas, Farmer spoke about bringing high speed internet access to all local areas. “Any business can succeed if it finds its niche and can market that product. Someone in a small town could make a specific part and market it. But, that requires broadband. There is no reason to let the digital divide grow. I want to make good on all of the promises to expand broadband.”
On Friday, February 20, Farmer published the following comment on his Facebook profile: “Thank you to everyone from Taney and Stone County and beyond who braved the rain and fog last night to talk together about our needs from Congress. I was impressed by the large turnout, about 50 people, and glad to present my vision of healthcare for all, living wages and economic development programs to rebuild the middle class, and a defense of people and democracy. The energy was excellent, the questions pointed and appreciated, and the fellowship encouraging. I’ll be back soon to work with you to organize and get out the vote. Turnout is key my friends, and maintaining our optimism. It is not naive to believe we can meet our needs as a society through group action, but we have to work for it! #BlueWave.”
In addition, Farmer said, “The message I’d like to get out is that Republicans and Democrats have the same problems and the solutions to those problems are non-partisan. I hope that Republicans are willing to entertain a Democrat this year as they have in previous years.”
“The meeting room at RT’s was filled to capacity with concerned citizens from Stone, Taney and Barry Counties. A question and answer session followed in which he displayed a wide spectrum of knowledge on a variety of issues,” said Sally Richardson, secretary with the Stone County Democrats in a statement. “Following [Farmer’s] presentation, a short business meeting was held by the Democratic Central Committee of Stone County. Volunteers were signed up to help at the Kimberling Area Recycle Center and in the future to aid in litter pickup for their adopted section of Route 13,” the statement concluded.
More information about Farmer can be found at http://www.farmerfortheozarks.com.
Information about Billy Long can be found at http://www.billylongforcongress.com.