The McCracken County Grassroots Group is proud to announce our Local Candidate Series. To kickoff this monthly series, we have selected, Monti Collins. Monti is a conservative Republican candidate for the Kentucky State House of Represetatives in the 6th District. The 6th District includes all of Marshall and Lyon Counties and a Reidland precinct in McCracken County. We had an opportunity to chat with Monti recently, and wanted to share with all of you what he had to say!
1. What inspired you to run for political office?
“My children and their future inspired me to run. I selfishly want them to have the same opportunity I had to come home after graduating college to live and work.
I was also inspired by a friend who owns a retail business in Marshall County. They told him that it was professional suicide to run as a Republican in Marshall County. He ran a positive campaign and lost the race but still owns one of the most successful businesses in Marshall County, 4 years later.”
2. Tell us something intersting about yourself, that not many people know.
“(My wife) Denise and I have “twin” daughters and I have a twin sister. I say “twin” because they are biological twins. We have one biological and one adopted. They were born 15 days apart in 2006.”
3. You are a very active facebook member. How do you think social media has improved/broadened a candidate’s capabilities to reach voters? Any negatives?
“I cannot think of a way to talk to close to 750 of my supporters daily without calling each one of them seperately. Facebook is an amazing medium. I never thought I would use a social medium but now that I have seen the positive response, I am hooked. I don’t know that this is a negative, but obviously anyone on the (facebook) page can comment about a subject. Although they may say something negative, they are certainly free to give their opinion.”
4. When elected, how do you plan to communicate with your constituents?
“I have found that some citizens don’t know who their Representative is, much less what he does for the district. I will use facebook and my website but not everyone has access to those mediums. I will live and work in my district. I go to church, grocery shop, and go to the park in my district. I will initially let everyone know that they can approach me anywhere and anytime. If they don’t feel comfortable coming up to me in person, they can certainly call me at home or on my cell phone. Lastly, I would love to have a monthly town hall type meeting if it can be facilitated. I want to be the most approachable Representative we have ever had.”
Monti invites all of you to join him for a fundraiser this Saturday. Rep. Jeff Hoover, House Minority Floor Leader, will be the featured guest. The time is 12:00 – 2:00 on the 24th and will be held at Dr. Jerry and Juanita Sells’ home at 179 Masters Circle, Benton, KY 42025. Refreshments will be provided. Let’s show Jeff Hoover that we are committed to sending another conservative to serve alongside Representatives Steven Rudy and Brent Housman, who serve the 1st and 3rd districts. There is a suggested $25 minimum contribution at the door, or you can mail it back to Friends of Monti Collins, PO Box 955, Benton, KY 42025.
Let’s show Monti our support! Thanks Monti, for being a strong, conservative voice for Western Kentucky.
