Jeffrey Keuneke

Jeffrey Keuneke was born in Auburn, Indiana. He attended West Liberty State University. His career experience includes working as a land surveyor.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a Constitutional Conservative running on the Republican ticket for the 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi. I'm not a politician, but a common man with a strong desire to see our country do better. Our leaders on Washington have lost sight of the common man and it's time we take our government back! We were once the greatest nation on the face of the earth. Our people were prosperous. Our military might was untouched. Our way of life was a beacon of hope for ever nation on this planet. I intend to see us back to that position on the world stage.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My first and foremost obligation is to the people of Mississippi. For too long Mississippi has been one of the poorest states in the nation. I intend to change that for not only the destitute regions of Mississippi, but for the country at large. The way to do that is through industry. We must open Opportunity Zones in the impoverished areas of the country. Industry built this country into the greatest nation, but we have allowed China and other nations to steal that industry from us. Let's bring manufacturing back to Mississippi and the United States and raise our people up through well paying job opportunities.Our country is a soviegn nation and we should act like one! Our immigration process has been broken for decades. We must secure our borders and put in a BIG door with a welcome sign on it. If you want to be a productive and successful member of society then you are welcome here. But that starts with recognition of our immigration laws and it starts with LEGALLY entering this country.We are not a racist country. Telling our white children that they should be ashamed of themselves for their skin color is terrible. Likewise, telling our children of color that they are oppressed and cannot succeed in life because of their skin color is worse. It destroys the dreams and ambitions of those children and creates lasting division between ourselves.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about freedom. Our freedom to decide on our own lives. This includes the Covid-19 vaccine. Our Founding Fathers knew that certain rights and freedoms were natural. That means our government didn't give us those rights and freedoms and it is not for them to take those rights and freedoms away. Our government has forgotten that they work FOR US! Their power was given to them by us and We the People can take that power away, not the other way around.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my father. He was far from being a perfect man. He wasn't rich. He wasn't successful by most people's standards. But what he was was an honest, hardworking, kind man who loved his children with all his heart. I hope that one day when I pass on to the next life that those things can be said about me. My success lies in my beautiful wife and my 4 wonderful children. If when I die they can honestly stand there and say, "my dad was honest, kind, and hardworking and he always made sure we knew how much he loved us" then I will have had the best life I could have lived.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and integrity. This is something missing by the majority of our legislature.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My core beliefs and morals are unflappable. They cannot be bought or forced to change. My mind can be changed with facts and logic that proves my previous belief to be wrong, but neither money nor bullying will ever get me to vote against my morals.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of an office holder is to their constituent. Not to special interest groups that line their pockets. Not to their political party. Not to themselves. They were elected to represent the public. THAT is their duty.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave the fortitude for other common people, those without law degrees and those who haven't been groomed for politics, to enter into politics. The ruling class that makes up our legislation has lost touch with the people who they represent. Most are wealthy before they enter office. All are once they leave. I want someone in office who has had to choose between paying their car note and their light bill. I want someone who has had to take a second job just so their children had a few Christmas gifts under the tree. I want someone who has known struggle and overcome it. The majority of people have faced those issues. How are you supposed to make policy to relieve them of some of those struggles if you've never felt that struggle in life?

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember Mt Saint Helen erupting. I remember the ash that fell on our house in Indiana over the next week, thousands of miles away from the volcano. I believe I was 4 at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a farm hand bailing hay. At 11 years old my sister's friend friend took me with him to help bail hay at a local farmers farm. One look at me weighing in at a whopping 75 lbs and the farmer said no. After begging him to let me work that day at a reduced rate, he finally gave in. So my 75 lb self went to work stacking hay bails that weighed up to 80 lbs. At the end of the day, the farmer handed me my wages and said, "I'll see you tomorrow." I worked every summer for him for the next 7 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Though not my favorite book, Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" changed my life. Although I'm not an Objectivist, the story touches on the idea of meritocracy in a way that I hadn't considered before. Before reading this book I was a liberal who believed in unrestricted social programs. It made me realize the folly of my thoughts. The only way to ever see innovation and growth is to allow the people who are the innovators to keep the product of their work.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I'm torn on this question. The House is supposed to have high turn over. That is one of the checks and balances of our system. The problem, though, is twofold. First, there is very little turnover in the House. Good reason for term limits. Secondly, Representatives spend nearly half of their term in an election cycle. When they are worried about campaigning and fund raising for minimum of 9 months out of their term, their attention cannot be focused on the job at hand. For this reason I would have no issues with terms going to 4 years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I a proponent of term limits. Congress should not be a permanent career and no one should become a millionaire on a congressional salary. I propose a 12 year limit on Congress, the House and Senate combined. We realized a long time ago that the president should have a 2 term limit. It is time we enact term limits in Congress.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is absolutely necessary, however some things you must take a stand on and not budge. I will never vote for a bill that compromises my morals and core values. I will never vote party line as well. A good bill is a good bill, period, and a bad bill is bad. My allegiance is to the people, not a party.

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