Salt Lake City businessman Dave Glissmeyer decides to suspend campaign for Utah’s 2^nd Congressional district seat.

June 16, 2010 -- Dave Glissmeyer, independent candidate for Utah’s 2^nd Congressional District, regretfully announces that he is suspending his active campaign activities indefinitely due to personal business concerns.  For the moment, Dave has chosen to keep his name on the November ballot and will continue to provide political commentary and updates to his website as time permits.  In addition, ONE SCHEDULED ACTIVITY, the June 26^th BBQ at Dave’s home, will go forth as planned.  Dave wants to meet with and personally thank those who have supported his run for office.

Twenty-five years ago, Dave founded a small telecommunications company in Salt Lake City, which he built into a thriving small business with a solid reputation based on uncompromising customer service and dedicated employees.  After two decades of hard work and his business on a firm financial footing, Dave made the decision to take some time away from the day-to-day office grind and pursue other avocations that were of interest to him, such as electoral politics.  Sadly however, in recent weeks it has become painfully apparent that many of the current challenges faced by once thriving American small businesses, most of which have been brought on by poor public policies, have had a similar affect on his former company.  Of prime importance to Dave personally are the jobs of 20+ valued employees and the relationships with thousands of friends and customers that the poor economy has negatively impacted.  Clearly, Dave’s leadership skills are needed and requested at his company. 

Good government and personal responsibility start at home.    Faced with the difficult choice of continuing his political campaign or devoting himself full-time to nurturing his viable business back to a more solid financial footing, Dave has chosen the later course of action.  The decision is little different than a parent or friend who makes the obvious choice to willfully, lovingly shift focus to care for an ill child or loved one.  One critical element in Dave’s thinking is his deeply held conviction that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and the jobs they provide are critical for the success of families and communities.  Dave feels a personal commitment to his employees and sincerely wants to restore the solid ground that was built before his soft retirement, especially in these difficult economic times.

The Glissmeyer name will still appear on the ballot in the fall, as Dave and many others worked hard to secure that ballot position and offer a choice for those who wanted something different than the inadequate two-party choice.  Dave intends to issue new policy statements and update his blog as time permits.  However, the traditional, arduous tasks that comprise an effective political campaign, such as door-to-door canvassing, must come to an end.  Although Dave believes that his experiences in the business world would be of great benefit to our government, the more practical and immediate application of his time and attention is to keep his own house in order.  Dave believes this is the highest level of personal responsibility and an ideal that should be embraced by and adhered to by all U.S. citizens.  “Help should be there if you need it but you had damn well be sure that you have exhausted all other means at your disposal before you come looking for it.”

Dave wishes to thank all of those motivated citizens who have donated time and money to his campaign thus far and expresses his profound regret over these recent developments.  SO PLEASE, drop by Dave’s home on the 26^th, sometime between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., grab a hotdog and say hello.  The address is 250 N. Alta Street in Salt Lake City.  Come on by and enjoy some time with your friends, met or unmet.

For more information on the Glissmeyer campaign, please visit Dave’s website at:  www.congressmendave.org.