Winner Jeff Armes grew up in Michigan and was helped by the Recovery Act...Obama for America at the end of June ran a contest for one lucky winner to join President Obama on his "Betting on America" campaign bus trip through the battleground states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The President kicked off his two-day tour on Thursday in Ohio, and a campaign official identified the winner as Alan “Jeff” Armes, a chimney sweep from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Armes brought his wife Cheri Armes as his guest. (Above: The President with the lucky couple outside his bus)
The push for entries for the contest, which closed on June 30, the last day for donations for the month, included e-mails from staff and First Lady Michelle Obama. It can hardly be considered a coincidence that the winner, like GOP presidential challenger Mitt Romney, is from Massachusetts. Romney was the 70th Governor of the state.
"Originally from Maryland, Jeff spent most of his younger life in Michigan," the campaign official said. "He was raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to support her five children."
Romney also spent his boyhood in Michigan, where his father was Governor. The similarities end there: Armes got a boost from President Obama's Recovery Act, according to OFA, and he also loves the Affordable Care Act.
"Today, Jeff is the owner and primary laborer at a chimney cleaning company he opened in 1985. Jeff was able to expand his business to open a small store selling fireplace products after receiving funding from his local economic development council that secured funding through the Recovery Act. Though he doesn’t have the means to support the campaign as much as he would like financially, Jeff donates what he can and lends a hand by helping to spread the word about the President’s accomplishments—particularly the Affordable Care Act and progress for equal rights," the campaign official said.
The President spent the day meeting and speaking to thrilled Buckeyes, and stopping for lunch, at a farmers market for sweet corn, and for an evening beer.
Click here for all posts about the bus trip.
*Pool photo
