Mike Spears (AN Profile and Host): Businessman begins U.S. Senate campaign

Claire Taylor • ctaylor@theadvertiser.com • April 20, 2010

Lafayette entrepreneur and small businessman Mike Spears on Monday officially kicked off his campaign for U.S. Senate in 2010.

Local business owner Mike Spears, backed by his family, laughs during a new conference to announce his run for the U.S. Senate on Monday at the Firefly Digital office in Lafayette.

Calling himself an independent and constitutional conservative, Spears is trying to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie. He also faces opposition from U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville.

Spears, a co-founder of Firefly Digital Inc., a website design and development company, said he attends Tea Party functions and is part of the Tea Party movement to take back America.

"I think the Tea Party represents the ideal of our Founding Fathers. … That’s what my platform is built on," he said.

Spears said he thought about entering the Senate race for more than a year. He sees the American dream fading and thought he had to fight for America.

The biggest problem in Washington are career politicians who are always running for re-election and representing special interest groups that contribute to their campaigns instead of the people they are elected to represent, Spears said. Neither the Republican nor the Democratic party is the answer, he said.

"America needs a Washington outsider. America needs an American insider in Washington," Spears said.

His five-point strategy for restoring the America he knew growing up includes:

n Neutralizing party strongholds.

n Restoring constitutional integrity.

n Reforming the legislative process.

n Restoring the balance of power.

n Restoring the nation to One Nation Under God.

"It’s not going to be easy, especially not for an independent," Spears said of his campaign.

Spears said he needs to raise $4 million. His opponents have raised about $6 million each already.

He challenged Americans to contribute to independent candidates such as himself across the nation. Spears asked small business owners for an "investment" of $2,400 and individuals for $100 to restore the dream of America.

"We win this race, and Louisiana will send a deafening message to Washington," Spears said. "Louisiana will lead the way."

Athletic Network Footnote: Click here for Mike’s profile http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=3905