There is a new President of the United States. Jasper County Republicans weighed in over the weekend and discussed their expectations for the new administration.
Rep. Greg Heartsill, R-Columbia, said he expects Trump to follow through on his campaign promises by putting American first and promoting the ideals of American exceptionalism.
“Even before President Trump took the oath of office, there has been a nationwide trend of businesses committing to future job growth due to consumer confidence rising and an overall positive outlook on the economy,” Heartsill said. “Here locally, I believe that will translate into better economic conditions and more job opportunities.”
Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, said she is excited to see another peaceful transfer of power. Her only expectation is that things will be different. She said Trump is a little unpredictable sometimes, but she is excited about having a Republican president again.
“I think the fact that there is complete control of the legislative and the executive branches sends a message to the Republican Party that people expect change,” Sinclair said. “People expect a more conservative approach.”
Doug Cupples, who was recently elected to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, said that he is excited and nervous at the same time.
“What I hope for, what I believe, is that he’s going to do the right things for all the American people,” Cupples said. “Hopefully all presidents do, no matter what party they’re from, they work for a better United States of America.”
Cupples said the voters will respond in four years if Trump does not deliver. Jasper County will feel the affects of the new administration through health care reform and probably in taxation, he said.
“The administration he’s bringing in, these people that he’s hired – it’s definitely a paradigm shift, that’s for sure,” Cupples said. “There’s going to be good and bad that comes from it.”
Dave McNeer, owner of Maxim Advertising in Newton, has watched the Trump campaign since day one. McNeer has a personal connection to Trump, and Maxim Advertising printed yard signs and buttons for the Trump campaign.
“I’m excited. It’s a great day for America,” McNeer said. “I thought that he really tapped into a lot of the frustration in America with everything in politics. I think he resonated from day one, and he continued to do that.”
McNeer said Trump might have said a few things that not everybody agreed with, but people were forgiving in those circumstances for the greater good. The Newton business owner said Trump is going to be a great commander in chief and do a great job running the economy.
“I really believe deep down in his heart he cares about the average Joe,” McNeer said. “He really does.”
Jasper County, which went to Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, selected Trump in 2016. Trump bested Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton by more than 3,000 votes in Jasper County.
Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com