Jake Rush

Jacob A. Rush, also known as Jake Rush, is an American attorney known for challenging incumbent Theodore Scott "Ted" Yoho for the United States House of Representatives seat for Florida's 3rd congressional district in 2014.

Jacob A. "Jake" Rush
Republican nominee for
U.S. House, Florida, District 3
Opponent(s)Theodore Scott "Ted" Yoho
IncumbentTheodore Scott "Ted" Yoho
Personal details
CitizenshipUnited States
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Anne Rush
Children1
ParentsRobert A. and Kristy Rush
ResidenceGainesville, Florida
Alma materUniversity of Florida
OccupationAttorney

Rush announced his candidacy on March 24, 2014, with a two-day series of announcements in different Florida towns.[1]

Platform

Stephen Colbert, a comedian, satirically described Rush as a "staunch conservative, a free-market capitalist, small government, walk softly and carry a big stick kind of guy."[2] Colbert also stated that Rush "is running on a platform of traditional marriage, strict constitutionalism, strong national defense, and repealing Obamacare", which Rush agreed was true.[3]

Rush had three main points he listed running on, being:[4]

  • Focusing on the economy,
  • Decreasing spending, and
  • Building a country where private businesses create jobs.

Rush characterized himself as a "straight shooter" and a conservative Republican.[5]

John Konkus, of the GOP consulting firm Jamestown Associates, served as Rush's media adviser. Alex Patton of Ozean Media served as campaign adviser.[6]

Rush was endorsed by the Conservative Party of Florida, a reversal of their endorsement of incumbent Ted Yoho in the last election cycle.[7]

Career

Previously, Rush worked as a Sheriff's deputy at the Alachua County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Steve Oelrich.[8] While in that position, part of Rush's roles were to investigate D.U.I.s. Rush returned to the force after law school, still at the A.S.O., as a volunteer reserve deputy.[9]

As of mid 2014, Rush works for his father's firm, the Law Office of Robert A. Rush, otherwise known as Rush & Glassman. As of late 2019, Rush is no longer employed with that firm.[9]

Personal life

Rush is the son of Robert and Kristy Rush and was raised in their home town of Gainesville, Florida. Robert is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Florida. He was a producer of the Gainesville production of Elvis People, working with associate producer Emilee MacDonald and playwright Doug Grissom.[10]

After high school, Rush was selected to attend the West Point Military Academy, but declined the offer to attend the University of Florida, his father's alma mater. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Classics.[11] While at university, Rush participated in the Theatre Strike Force, an improv acting club.[12]

Rush received national attention for his involvement in live action role playing (LARP). Rush is a member of The Mind's Eye Society, an online role playing community described as "not dissimilar from Dungeons and Dragons, but with a Gothic supernatural bent."[13] He is also a leader in the Gainesville Covenant of the Poisoned Absinthe, a live action roleplaying group made up "of an assortment of games from White Wolf's selection, including Vampire: The Masquerade, Changeling: The Lost, and Mage: The Awakening."[14][15][16]

Prior to announcing his candidacy, Rush deleted some photos and websites regarding his role-playing activities, and told the Gainesville Sun that "I had scrubbed as much as I could Google of myself, just because it's a little embarrassing, and I didn't want it to overshadow my campaign. I didn't want this to happen, basically."[17]

Rush and his wife Anne have one child, named Victor.[18]

References
  1. "Jake Rush kicks-off Republican primary challenge to incumbent Yoho". Suwannee Democrat. 20 Mar 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  2. Gupta, Prachi (9 May 2014). "America, meet Jake Rush, a Tea Party vampire running for Congress in Florida". Salon. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  3. Feuerherd, Ben (9 May 2014). "WATCH: Stephen Colbert Interviews Vampire LARPing Candidate Jake Rush". The National Memo. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  4. "Jake Rush for Congress Campaign". Jake Rush for Congress. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  5. "Jake Rush for Congress". Campaign Page. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  6. Thompson, Bill (20 Mar 2014). "Alachua lawyer Jake Rush predicts 'intense' campaign against Yoho". Ocala Star Banner. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. "Conservative Crew Candidaes". Conservative Party of FLorida. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  8. Rosenberg, Alyssa (3 April 2014). "In defense of Jake Rush, the role-playing Republican congressional candidate". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  9. "Jacob A. Rush". Robert A. Rush, P.A. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  10. "About the Past Productions". Elvis People. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  11. Gavaler, Chris (19 Apr 2014). "Cosplayers for Congress". The Hooded Utilitarian. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  12. "PRESS RELEASE" (PDF). Miami Herald. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  13. Brown, Eric (2 Apr 2014). "Meet Jake Rush, Republican Candidate And Vampire Role-Player". International Business Times. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  14. Makarechi, Kia (1 Apr 2014). "Meet Jake Rush, Florida Congressional Candidate and Vampire". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  15. Walker, Hunter. "Florida House Candidate Was An Active 'Vampire' Role Player". Business Insider. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  16. Kaufman, Scott (9 May 2014). "Colbert mocks Tea Party candidate Jack Rush and his vampire alter-ego, 'Chazz Darling'". The Raw Story. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  17. Jester, Erin (2 Apr 2014). "Rush admits deleting web content regarding role-playing past". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  18. Griffis, Kelcee Griffis. "Yoho challenger Rush called out for LARPing". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
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