Mark Spinks: Everyday American and SGP Member Runs for Congress

Mark Spinks has never held public office, which nowadays is reason enough to vote for a person. However, Spinks brings more to the table than his Every Man status. Spinks is a business owner, a realtor, a dad, a pilot and a survivor.  He believes there’s a survivor in each American and if the government would encourage us to stand on our own instead of huddling under its Big Brother Blanket, we’d all be better off. Spinks sums up many Americans’ feelings when he says, “It’s time to move past the Age of Entitlement and awaken the Age of Empowerment.”

Spinks is running for office in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in November’s mid-term elections. Currently this seat is held by Democrat Harry Mitchell who is in his second term in the House. Mitchell is a well-known Arizonian who once served as mayor of Tempe as well as a senator at the state level. According to the National Republican Trust PAC, Mitchell votes with Nancy Pelosi 67% of the time. He voted yes to the stimulus bill, the house version of healthcare reform and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which gave a major victory to trial lawyers. Mitchell’s voting record is only part of the reason Spinks decided to step out of private life to run in the Republican primary.

“Like many people today,” says Spinks, “I am frustrated with the direction of the country.  I am tired of watching both political parties treat their constituents like peasants who cannot take care of themselves. Our leaders act as if they, as the ruling class, must take care of us because if left to our own devices, we would promptly fall apart.” Spinks disagrees with Washington politicians. He believes that government should be returned to the people.

“I believe in strong conservative values,” says Spinks, “and that the government and its leaders should inspire, motivate and encourage us to achieve more and to choose our path. They should not oppress, mandate and force us down the path chosen by them. Mandates only stifle innovation, not encourage it.”

Spinks is one of many non-politicians seeking office this fall. They ride the wave of frustration and anger at our federal government and the momentum of movements like the Tea Party and Smart Girl Politics. They also represent real Americans who know real struggles and real challenges. But so what? Sure, everyone is angry but does that qualify any Joe or Jane to actually sit in the House of Representatives? Spinks acknowledges that he doesn’t have a law degree or a PhD. He does not hobnob with rich and famous people. He does, however, have an ace up his sleeve: real life experience.

“I am very confident that I can handle the day to day tasks of the office,” says Spinks.  “I have been CEO of a large real estate firm, and also General Manager of large restaurants, managing hundreds of employees at a time.  I’ve also had to do something most in Washington have no experience with–work with a checkbook that doesn’t print its own money.” Spinks has suffered the ups and downs of our economy as a regular person, not an isolated politician. At one time he lost his company and his home but instead of reaching for handouts, he started over with more determination than ever. When politicians say they’ve “heard” heartbreaking stories of people’s suffering, Spinks says he’s actually lived those stories. For him, it’s not an interesting anecdote to include in a speech but a painful lesson learned through personal knowledge.

Spinks is running on a platform of common sense and fiscal responsibility. “We have to learn to live within our means,” says Spinks, “from the federal government all the way down to the individual household.  We have to face up to the fact that we need to lean up for awhile and allow things to catch up.  You don’t just go get another credit card to pay off the previous one.  You just paint yourself deeper and deeper doing that and sooner or later it will implode on you.”

If you live in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, Mark Spinks would greatly appreciate your help. If you live elsewhere, get involved with true conservative campaigns at the ground level in any way you can. Hold candidates to high standards and as Spinks puts it, “force them to run a positive campaign focused on moving forward and not just politics as usual because that just results in the same politicians as usual.  You want a different focus in Washington? Then you have to demand a different campaign, and different primary and general election atmosphere.”

For more information about Mark Spinks check out his website at www.votespinks.com. Spinks is also a member of Smart Girl Politics.