A focus on the church for history-making congressional candidates

In a history-making move, two LCMS members sitting on opposite sides of the political spectrum are campaigning together but running on two separate tickets for the Fifth Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the history of American politics, this type of bipartisan campaign has never been done before.

Jim Burkee, 39, and Jeff Walz, 40, announced their decision to run jointly for the U.S. House seat this fall. Burkee, member of First Immanuel in Cedarburg and history professor at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), is a Republican. Walz, member of St. Paul in Sheboygan Falls and political science professor at CUW, is a Democrat. Yet they share campaign headquarters, promotional efforts and a Christian perspective on politics.

Burkee (left), a Republican, and Walz (right), a Democrat, are campaigning jointly and pledging an emphasis on Christianity.

“We agree on the ends, but disagree on the means. We respect each other and that makes our agreements that much more meaningful,” said Walz on their ground-breaking collaborative campaign. They ask that Republicans vote for Burkee and Democrats vote for Walz.

Engaging Lutherans in civic participation is just one of the goals for this unusual team. Burkee said, “We both share a strong belief [in Christianity]. Lutherans should be among the most politically active in politics. The Church is precisely where the discussions should take place.” Walz agreed, stating, “We’re not living out the two kingdom theory as we should. We should have more Missouri Synod Lutherans involved.”

If they win the primaries on Sept. 10, 2007,the pair promises to debate each day in the Fifth District leading up to the general election in November. They aim to give competition, choice and opportunities to be involved in the election process. They will hold their debates in churches, something they are familiar with as they debated issues related to the presidential election in 20 local churches in fall 2004. These debates, along with a solid friendship, sparked the idea of a co-campaign.

Walz and Burkee are serious about spreading the message of Christianity if elected. “We need more of a Lutheran presence in Washington, so that Washington can have a better appreciation for what Lutheranism is. We want to spread the Gospel of Christ through the Lutheran perspective,” said Walz.
Burkee and Walz promise to follow biblical mandates on the campaign trail and beyond, including those on debt and abortion. Burkee said, “Spending money that is not ours is as important a moral issue as other moral issues.”
According to Walz, the pro-choice platform of the Democrats have alienated their constituent base and repelled voters. “There is a movement—the ‘Christian Left’—in this district to put together this coalition and win this campaign,” said Walz.

This team is not just unusual for its joint campaigning, but also for their pledge to adhere to higher ethical standards than is currently seen in Congress. Neither Burkee nor Walz will accept free gifts, travel expenses, or money from special interest groups. Rather, Burkee and Walz expect to raise money through small, individual contributions and a grassroots effort. “We should live by a higher standard,” Burkee said.

The Fifth Congressional District seat is currently held by Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, a Republican from Menomonee Falls. Sensenbrenner has indicated he will run again this fall. Both Burkee and Walz believe Sensenbrenner can be defeated. Burkee expressed outrage at what the Republican party has become, particularly its evolution into what he calls “big government.” Burkee said, “This is an election of change, not the likes of which we’ve seen since 1994.”

While Walz and Burkee do not have the conventional credentials of politicians running for office, both are quick to point out they are citizens and intend to remain a part of their communities. “Our term would be an extension of citizen legislators,” said Walz. Burkee added, “We want to be in D.C., but not of D.C.”

The Fifth Congressional District of Wisconsin includes all of Ozaukee and Washington counties, and parts of Jefferson, Waukesha, and Milwaukee counties.

More information on Burkee and Walz can be found on their website,
burkeeandwalz.com.