Anyone who runs for political office finds it necessary to have a really nice family photograph.

The first year my senator ran, we used our family Christmas card picture. Four years later, we did the same. Although, in honesty, we knew a re-election was around the corner, so we hired that same wonderful, professional photographer which proved to be a very smart move.  When young children are involved, I have found it to be a lot easier to get them to “smile” in a picture they thought was for a Christmas card then if it were for daddy’s campaign.

So, they don’t like being used as props…go figure. I was just proud to have pulled it off… Christmas card and possible campaign picture – two for the price of one. Well, sort of. That very nice and wonderful photographer allowed us to use his photo for campaign purposes even though a small fee was involved. Just chalk that one up to the price of doing business.

Here are the two infamous campaign photos.