Following some good advice, I’m going to refrain from commenting on yesterday’s election results for a few days, but I wanted to take a minute to talk about my friend Daniel Stout.
I met Daniel last fall, a few weeks before he decided to run in the special election for the 19th district in the Georgia House. I helped with his campaign in the special election, and I worked even more diligently for him in the recent primary and runoff elections.
During his time in the General Assembly, Daniel stood firm – under extreme pressure from other Republicans – against increases in government. He remained true to his word to his constituents, and he proved to us all that it really is possible to elect a true fiscal conservative.
I was with Daniel the day he received that despicable mailer from Steve Golden. When I was furious, Daniel calmed me down and insisted we not lash back in anger. When he read what I wrote about Steve Golden, he called and asked me to back off. And after the primary, when Golden apologized for the mailer, I saw Daniel respond in love with complete forgiveness.
When Daniel got juicy bits of information about Paulette Braddock that would have hurt her campaign, he insisted that we not go public with it. He had promised a clean campaign, and he was determined to run a clean campaign – no matter how his opponents ran theirs.
Throughout this past year, I have seen Daniel Stout in victory and in defeat. I’ve seen him when he’s been viciously attacked, and I’ve seen him respond in grace. I was present when he was addressing crowds, and I’ve been with him when nobody else was around. In every one of these instances, I have seen what real integrity in a man looks like.
I am honored to know Daniel Stout and to be able to call him a friend. Being around Daniel has taught me a lot about myself, and I’m a better person because of his example. Whether you supported Daniel in this election or not, I hope you’ll go out of your way to get to know him. You may find him challenging you to be a better person as well.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
beautiful – and I’m so glad he didn’t stoop to her level – even if it ended up with his losing – which shouldn’t have happened.
Ron,
I couldn’t agree more with your summary (aside from my personal bias). Paulding County loses a TRUE servant in the State House, but will not lose his service to the county entirely. As a citizen of Paulding County, Daniel will continue to serve his fellowman with the same honor and integrity as a citizen that he did as one of their elected officials. I believe Daniel’s character reflects so much of what many of us aspire to be like in victory and in defeat. I am truly honored and blessed to be his wife.
Thanks, Ron, for putting these thoughts on paper. It is sad that Daniel will not be able to serve at the Capitol and represent Paulding, but you are so right about his character. I am sure God has a plan to use Daniel in the future. We are blessed to know each other. Today, I am thankful we know those who are of like-minds. We are blessed to have Daniel and Kelly as our friends!