If you’re just joining us, you can find Chapter 1 (Who is Russ “Wojo” Wojtkiewicz…), Chapter 2 (…the Brink of Change), Chapter 3 (The $1,500 Leap of Faith), and Chapter 4 (Three Colors & The Secretary of State) on my timeline. We are exploring the life lessons that built my Engineer's approach to serving as your County Clerk.
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The Wednesday Memo | Chapter 5: Campaign Matchbooks and the "Litton Effect"

In the spring of 1976, I was a fresh high school graduate, but I was about to get a PhD-level education in Missouri politics.

My father, Gene, was fed up. Our State Representative at the time was drawing a paycheck while only showing up for work about a third of the time. More importantly, he didn’t share the conservative, Republican values my father held dear. So, Dad did what he always did when a system was broken: he stepped up to fix it himself.

That August primary taught me a lesson I carry to this day: In politics, factors out of your control can change everything.

At the time, Congressman Jerry Litton from Chillicothe was the "rising star" of the Democrat Party. People across the state, including many Republicans, believed Litton was the next Truman—a future President from Missouri. Because of that excitement, the August 3rd primary saw a massive "crossover."

Thousands of Republicans, who would have normally supported my father's campaign, pulled Democrat ballots instead just to have a say in the Litton race. It was a strategic move that "hollowed out" the Republican turnout and ultimately led to my father’s failed attempt at the seat.

I still have some of the campaign matchbooks from that summer. They serve as a reminder that the "Cool Kids' Table" and the political "stars" often distract voters from the local offices that actually impact their daily lives. The tragedy of the Litton plane crash that killed Jerry Litton and his entire family on election night cast a long shadow over Missouri, but for me, the lesson was clear: Political maneuvers and "ballot strategy" can overshadow a candidate’s qualifications and work ethic.  Too many try to appear as the best Candidate when what really needs to be shown is who is the best Qualified to do the job they are campaigning for!

Today, I see similar games being played. I see candidates relying on name recognition, last minute filing shenanigans or "clique" endorsements rather than a record of showing up and actually doing the work. My father taught me to fight for values, not just for a seat. He taught me that if you’re going to draw a taxpayer-funded or private paycheck, you’d better show up 100% of the time.

Coming Friday in our Final Chapter: The Guardian Angels and the "Boring" Courthouse.

#WednesdayMemo #PlatteCounty #WojoForClerk #MissouriPolitics #JerryLitton #TheWojtkiewiczStandard #EngineerMindset #ShowUpForWork