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Monday, October 10, 2005

Fort Wayne Native Reid Nelson Hired by Kinky Friedman Texas Gubernatorial Campaign


Fort Wayne native Reid Nelson has been hired as "senior aide" to help direct the gubernatorial campaign of Texan singer Kinky Friedman according to a story by R.G. Ratcliffe of the Houston Chronicle's Austion Bureau.

Friedman , a favorite of Don Imus, is running as an independent to succeed incumbent Texas Governor Rick Perry. Friedman was the headliner of Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys and is now a mystery novelist. He may best be described as a satirical songwriter. His songs included titles like “They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore.”

Nelson is described in the story as the manager for Dan Quayle's first Congressional campaign, although those close to the Quayles might characterize that as a rather brief tenure. He is a close friend of brothers Paul and Mark Helmke. Nelson worked overseas for the governmental relations firm formed by Mark Helmke two decades ago.

Nelson comes on board at a time that the Friedman campaign is showing some shakiness.

Ratcliffe wrote:
"The rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated," [Friedman] campaign manager Dean Barkley said. "Nobody's jumping out of the second-story window over here or committing hara-kiri."
Reid is a something of a free-spirit and adventurer. That he has taken a position with Kinky Friedman seems entirely fitting. It ought to give Reid some more great stories to tell in the future. And I can't help imagine but that Friedman, once exposed to Reid Nelson, will end up with some new stories of his own.

More:
Kinky Friedman profiled in The NEW YORKER.
Kinky Friedman Official Website.

Comments:
Met the Kinkster not long ago. He's startling, irreverent and mercurial. This will be an interesting race to watch! This feller might just be the Lone Star Gov in '06.
 
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