From the Editor: Young politician takes his shot

I met Jesse Kelly for coffee a few days back and the first thing I did was apologize for wearing short pants.

“But it’s August, it’s Arizona and it’s a hundred degrees outside,” I said.

“And it’s Saturday morning.”

Don’t worry about it, he said, adding, “I think my shorts-wearing days are over.”

Could be, but it’s by choice.

Kelly is running against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for the House seat in District 8. Actually, he’s not quite that far yet — the GOP likely won’t pick a candidate for another year. But that hasn’t slowed Kelly, whose team has been sending out e-mails since he announced his bid April 2 — less than three months into Giffords’ second term. He said he has gathered a mountain of support in a short period. “People are hungry,” he told me.

Our discussion was wide-ranging, so I’ll get out of the way and let the man who’s motto is “Send a Warrior to Congress” introduce himself to Green Valley. Here are his thoughts on a variety of topics:

Kelly turned 28 last month and doesn’t think youth is an issue. He has done a lot in his life, including four years in the Marines — part of that leading combat troops through Baghdad before the city was secured. He’s now a construction project manager for a Tucson company owned by his family. (One of their contracts is funded, in part, by stimulus money. But he says it would have been built anyway.)

Kelly has never held elected office. Why aim so high first time out? “Because that’s where the biggest problem is.” He added, “I’m very, very proud I’m not a lifelong politician.”

Kelly attended college two to three years, studying business, but has no degree. (Giffords has a master’s from Cornell.) A disadvantage? “It has been hugely appealing to people,” he said. “It makes me more relatable to people.”

On Giffords’ campaign war chest (about $1.2 million) vs. his (about $40,000): “I only need to raise enough to get my message out.”

Local support: He has been endorsed by Sahuarita Town Council member Kara Egbert. He recently returned from Washington, where he sought the blessing of the GOP elite and returned buoyed about his future. Other endorsements include former chair of the House Armed Services Committee Duncan L. Hunter, several U.S. representatives, including Hunter’s son and Arizona’s Trent Franks, and Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

On President Obama: “He took over under horrible (economic) circumstances, but I’m tired of hearing what you inherited.” A president — or any elected official — should hit the ground running, Kelly says.

Healthcare bill: “It is the most frightening piece of legislation I’ve ever read in my entire life.”

Immigration: More boots on the border, and a guest-worker program.

Competition? He figures there will be four candidates for the GOP nomination, and promised, “This is not going to be one of those nasty primaries.”

On the rigors of the campaign early on: “At this point it’s all about name I.D.” “It’s nonstop and the country’s worth it.”

Find out more at www.votejessekelly.com. My quick impression is that he isn’t like a lot of people in politics today. Maybe it’s that he hasn’t spent the bulk of his life there and hasn’t become another talking head for his party, yet.

When you compare his bank account with Giffords’, he looks like a GOP sacrificial lamb. But coming off a year unlike any this country has seen in decades, don’t count him out. This could be one of those rare races where money doesn’t decide the winner.

— Dan Shearer