The Candidates' childhood home
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL–The ranch style house where candidates John and Bennett grew up is still occupied by their parents. Memories of their childhood are everywhere. The sycamore tree that Bennett so loved to climb is a little older and taller now, and the paved walkway that John helped lay with his dad has held up nicely with the passing of time.
The recent revelation that the Smart P.O. party candidate and Just the Way You Like It party leader are brothers has sparked a curiosity into the kinship that the two men have so fastidiously kept from interfering with their campaign.
John, top and Bennett, right before they dreamed of bigger things
“We never purposely concealed our relationship,” said older brother Bennett. “It just never seemed to be all that important to the election.”
Younger brother John concurred. “I’ve been living in the shadow of my big brother all my life. I’ve worn his hand-me-downs. I didn’t think it would help my campaign to be defined that way.”
So, how do they deal with the sibling rivalry of competing against each other in this important election?
“It’s just another reason to stay sharp and be the best I can be,” John said. “When you come from a family of four boys, you learn how to survive.”
In the heat of the campaign, the two brothers have resisted the temptation to go negative on each other. “At the end of the day, we’re still brothers,” Bennett said, adding, “Our kids love to play together.”
