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Cup o’ Jo

by John Heisel
Jo Emary laughs with her friend Julie while going door to door promoting her campaign.

In the cold, in the dark, 10 feet from a roaring stream of northbound trucks, Jo Emary commenced another day of campaigning.

“I want people to know that I’m everywhere,” Jo said as she waved at the potential voters passing by. “I got my tennies on and grabbed gloves and got as warm as I could. I got an extra change in the car and heels and earrings and necklace. You just have to get ready and hit the ground running in the morning and not stop. … I don’t have time to stop by the house and change clothes. I nearly have to do it while I’m driving down the road sometimes.”

Less than two weeks before Election Day, Jo, who calls herself “the reluctant politician,” was working hard to convince Radcliff she should be mayor.

“This campaign is absolutely controlling our lives,” Jo said. “It’s gotten so bad I don’t know what day it is.”

At 50, the wife and mother of two is giving up her job of eight years as the executive director of the chamber of commerce to run against J.J. Duvall. Jo says she’s motivated by her love for Radcliff.

Campaigning starts before dawn, when Jo Emary, left, joins supporter John Flanagan and husband, John Emary, to wave and shout "Good morning" to potential voters heading to work.
The Rev. Santiago talks with Radcliff mayoral candidate Jo Emary during a radio show on Radio Celestial Kentucky, a channel dedicated to Radcliff’s Latin community. "It is my goal for 2011 to learn Spanish," Jo said during her interview on the show.
Jo Emary begins another evening of the door-to-door of campaigning, which she hopes will make her Radcliff's new mayor. .
David shares a laugh with mayoral candidate Jo Emary. The two discussed how women and minorities fought hard for the right to vote. "I say 'Don't complain to me if you don't go vote,'" she said.
Radcliff councilman Chuck Angus donates to Jo Emary's campaign during a "Cup o' Jo" meeting at the Huddle House.
Jo Emary, Radcliff mayoral candidate, executive director of the chamber of commerce and mother of two, is described as a cheerleader for her town. Jo will resign from the chamber at the end of the year. She described her experience there as "the best and most fulfilling job I've ever had."
Jo Emary unwinds at her home after a long day of campaigning and working for the chamber of commerce. "Campaigns are exhausting," Jo said. "This campaign is absolutely controlling our lives."
Jo Emary hugs her friend Julie while going door-to-door promoting her campaign. Election Day is about two weeks away.
Jo Emary unwinds with online Scrabble, a cocktail and her dog, Tucker, at her Radcliff home after a long day of campaigning. "I just want to be quiet," Jo said. "I love the silence and where my brain goes when I'm seeking my precious words for the most score."