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Tag Archives: Gordon Christensen

Dr. Gordon Christensen (1948-2020)

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

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4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, missouri, obituary

Gordon Christensen (D) [2015 file photo].

Gordon D’Arcy Christensen, Sept. 14, 1948 — Feb. 29, 2020

Gordon D’Arcy Christensen, 71, a member of the MU School of Medicine faculty since 1988, died Feb. 29, 2020, at his home surrounded by his family. The cause of death was cancer.

Dr. Christensen was a professor of medicine specializing in infectious diseases and tropical medicine. As a physician, he was best known for taking on difficult cases and making elusive diagnoses….

….Best known in scientific circles for his research into the cause of medical device infections, Dr. Christensen was the first to recognize that the coagulase-negative staphylococci were a major cause of medical device infections, particularly infections of intravascular catheters. After this, while working with his close colleague, W. Andrew Simpson, they discovered that the capacity to attach to the surfaces of medical devices by forming a sticky layer of bacteria accounted for the predilection to infect medical devices….

….Dr. Christensen’s career in laboratory research abruptly ended when he “blew the whistle” on the attempt by officials of the Department of Veterans, with the assistance of MU officials, to conceal and block a criminal investigation into the murder of multiple veteran patients at the Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in 1992. This tragedy led to Dr. Christensen appearing before three Congressional committees. To his bitter disappointment, it did not lead to prosecution of the murderer or punishment of those officials who blocked the investigation and concealed the deaths. Most regrettably, it also did not lead to an explanation for the tragedy or compensation for the families of murdered veterans….

….in 2016, Dr. Christensen was the Democratic candidate to represent Missouri’s 4th Congressional District in Congress….

Gordon Christensen (D) on Vicky Hartzler (r) and Donald Trump (r)

09 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

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Donald trump.4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, groping, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

Gordon Christensen, the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District. [2016 file photo]

Gordon Christensen, the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District. [2016 file photo]

Gorden Christensen’s (D) campaign sent out the following press release this evening:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
[….]

Christensen Challenges Hartzler to Finally Stand up for Women

COLUMBIA –Dr. Gordon Christensen, the 4th Congressional District Democratic candidate, today called on Republican incumbent Vicky Hartzler to denounce Donald Trump, reject his offensive and demeaning comments against women, and move that he be replaced as the Republican nominee for President.

“The abhorrent comments made by Donald Trump are nothing short of reprehensible,” Dr. Christensen said. “I am disgusted by the latest released video of Donald Trump’s appalling treatment of women, and my opponent’s attempt to justify his behavior.“

“My opponent’s recent statement regarding Donald Trump is a perfect example of how disconnected she is from reality. As a father, husband, and human being, I would never associate myself with someone who actively brags about demeaning and assaulting women. I ask Representative Hartzler to join me in publicly denouncing Donald Trump and calling for him to be removed from his candidacy because of incompetency, immoral, and threatening behavior,” Dr. Christensen said. “As a politician who is so invested in her faith and principles, how can my opponent support a man who does not have ethical standards, moral values, or simple human decency?”

“Hartzler does not stand for women’s health, does not fight for equal pay for women, and in 2013, voted against the Violence Against Women Act,” Christensen said. “Representative Hartzler, will you finally stand up for women, show leadership as an elected congresswoman, and denounce the Republican candidate Donald Trump?”

Dr. Christensen is a retired University of Missouri physician. Dr. Christensen has been endorsed by the National Organization for Women (NOW).He is the Democratic candidate challenging the incumbent, Vicky Hartzler, for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District seat in the November 8th general election. Vicky Hartzler was elected to Congress in 2010 when she defeated the late Ike Skelton. She is now running for a 4th term.

###

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): [….] (October 8, 2016)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): all in with Donald Trump (r) (October 8, 2016)

There’s work to be done

04 Thursday Aug 2016

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

The primary results in the 4th Congressional District:

U.S. Representative – District 4 
356 of 356 Precincts Reported
Democratic
Gordon Christensen 17,146 62.732%
Jack Truman 10,186 37.268%
Party Total: 27,332

Republican 
John E Webb 28,012 27.512%
Vicky Hartzler 73,807 72.488%
Party Total: 101,819
 
Libertarian
Mark Bliss 520 100.000%
Party Total: 520

[emphasis added]

Gordon Christensen, the Democratic Party nominee in the 4th Congressional District - August 3, 2016.

Gordon Christensen, the Democratic Party nominee in the 4th Congressional District – August 3, 2016.

Last night in Warrensburg Gordon Christensen’s (D) campaign held an organization meeting for individuals in Johnson County who will be helping with the campaign’s field work (door-to door and phone banking). In a possible wave election year a robust field operation can and will make all the difference in the world.

You all know what to do.

Retail politics

14 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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4th Congressional District, 52nd Legislative District, Gordon Christensen, Johnson County, Judy Baker, Kyle Garner, missouri, state treasurer, Warrenburg

The 2016 general election is eleven months away. The primary, for candidates who draw an opponent, is eight months away. Candidates are already out engaging with voters – before you complain about the length of our campaign season(s) consider this: a candidate can always raise more money, the can always print more literature and signs, what they can’t get is more time. One on one contact with voters is the most effective thing a candidate can do to get elected. There are a lot of voters out there – and that personal contact takes a lot of time.

Judy Baker (D),  Democratic Party candidate for State Treasurer, in Warrensburg - December 13, 2015.

Judy Baker (D), a Democratic Party candidate for State Treasurer, in Warrensburg – December 13, 2015.

In almost every county across the state politically active people gather for one reason or another, sometimes on a regular basis. These gatherings are a convenient concentration of voters for candidates seeking that direct voter contact.

Gordon Christensen (D), a Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District, in Warrensburg - December 13, 2015.

Gordon Christensen (D), a Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District, in Warrensburg – December 13, 2015.

One Sunday evening in Warrensburg there was one such gathering of engaged Democratic Party voters. It was an opportunity for several candidates to talk one on one with people who actually bother to vote. Judy Baker, a candidate for State Treasurer; Gordon Christensen, a candidate in the 4th Congressional District; and Kyle Garner, a candidate in the 52nd Legislative District utilized the occasion for that one on one engagement.

Kyle Garner (D), the Democratic Party candidate in the 52nd Legislative District.

Kyle Garner (D), the Democratic Party candidate in the 52nd Legislative District.

There may or may not be an opportunity for a candidate to address the crowd. The smart candidate circulates and engages every person present. When you witness that actual engagement from a candidate you know that individual understands the process of retail politics. And in case you’re wondering – it’s very effective. For candidates it’s probably the one part of the process of running for office that they enjoy the most.

Previously:

Judy Baker (D) is running for State Treasurer in 2016 (October 2, 2015)

Judy Baker (D) – announcement for State Treasurer in 2016 (December 7, 2015)

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District (November 6, 2015)

Gordon Christensen (D) in the 4th Congressional District – November 7, 2015 (November 8, 2015)

Gordon Christensen (D) announces in the 4th Congressional District (November 18, 2015)

Gordon Christensen (D) announces in the 4th Congressional District

18 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, Jim White, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

Gordon Christensen (D) [2015 file photo].

Gordon Christensen (D) [2015 file photo].

We received the following press release late this afternoon:

Dr. Gordon Christensen has released the following statement.

“It is my pleasure and honor announcing to the citizens of the Missouri 4th Congressional District that I will seek the Democratic nomination to represent them in the House of Representatives.

All Missourians, whether they live on the farm or in the city, have to face the twin problems of increasingly expensive healthcare and increasingly difficult to get healthcare. So, to avoid the cost and the hassle, too many of us are not taking care of ourselves and our families. That only makes the problems worse. The Affordable Care Act promised to solve these problem; but to keep that promise, it needs more work both at the State and Federal level. As a physician, medical educator, and medical scientist, I intend to use my knowledge of medical care to improve the delivery of healthcare and reduce the cost of medical care for all Missourians.

As a physician, I know that all adults have the right to make their own health care decisions. This right, known as the right of Autonomy, is the central principle of medical ethics. Among other things, the right to self-determination means you can decide what medical care is best for you. This principle applies to all medical decisions including women’s healthcare and this is a principle that Congress needs to understand. Personal medical decisions should be between the patient and the doctor, not government.

All Missourians, as are all Americans, are indebted to the men and women who, by serving in the armed forces, dedicated their lives to protecting us. Our Veterans are our Heroes. We have pledged to care for them, just as they took care of us. The Department of Veterans Affairs – the ‘VA’ – has provided this care since the end of World War II. I was a VA physician for 20 years; my wife, Alice, is a VA clinical psychologist – she has worked for the VA for more than 25 years. I know that the VA is staffed by dedicated professionals who only want to do the best for our Veterans. I also know that all too often the VA fails to keep the promise of caring for our Veterans. This disservice simply cannot be tolerated. I know from my personal experience as a VA whistleblower and from my appearances before Congressional Committees, that many of the problems within the VA are due to poor Congressional oversight of the VA. I intend to fix this.

The uniquely American entrepreneurial spirit is a key driver of well-paying jobs and economic growth in the 21st century global economy. As your representative in Congress I will work toward economic security for all citizens by promoting policies that will stimulate small business and economic growth for everyone. I will also address the growing problem of the shrinking middle class in our district and country. The middle class has become a casualty of the dysfunction of the current Congress. My opponent is part of that dysfunction.

It is strange, but true, that in the 21st century, so many of our public concerns are concerns about healthcare. I have been a licensed, practicing, physician for more than 41 years. I am certified in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and tropical medicine. I have been a medical educator for more than 36 years. I am a medical scientist whose discoveries have changed the practice of medicine. I have been a medical and educational leader at the University of Missouri where I have worked for more than 27 years and where I have been the Chief of Staff of the University of Missouri Hospital and the leader of the University of Missouri faculty government. Finally, I have demonstrated my willingness to do what is best for patients, even if my speaking truth to power comes at great personal cost. I am prepared to lead the way for all Missourians to a better life in the 21st century. The time is now to put a physician in the house!”

Jim White (D) and incumbent Vicky Hartzler (r) are also candidates in the 4th Congressional District.

Previously:

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District (November 6, 2015)

Gordon Christensen (D) in the 4th Congressional District – November 7, 2015 (November 8, 2015)

Gordon Christensen (D) in the 4th Congressional District – November 7, 2015

08 Sunday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, Jim White, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

Gordon Christensen (D), who is contemplating a run in the 4th Congressional District, made his first political foray last night in Warrensburg at a local fundraising event for the Johnson County Democratic Committee.

Gordon Christensen (D)  in Warrensburg - November 7, 2015.

Gordon Christensen (D) in Warrensburg – November 7, 2015.

He spoke briefly to those in attendance, citing the needs to improve health care delivery for veterans and for access to affordable health care for all Americans. He also addressed the current dysfunction in the republican controlled Congress – calling the creation of the Planned Parenthood committee and Representative Vicky Hartzler’s (r) appointment to it nothing more than political theater.

The seat is currently held by Vicky Hartzler (r). Democrat Jim White is also running and has established a committee.

Previously:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): hitting the show trial big time (October 23, 2015)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): Your famos! (October 23, 2015)

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District (November 6, 2015)

Contemplating the 4th Congressional District

06 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

4th Congressional District, Gordon Christensen, Mark Thiessen, missouri, Vicky Hartzler

We received the following press release from a representative of a possible Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District:

Gordon Christensen (D) [submitted photo].

Gordon Christensen (D) [submitted photo].

Christensen for Congress Exploratory Committee

Gordon Christensen, M.D. has launched a Congressional Exploratory Committee for the 4th Congressional District of Missouri. Dr. Christensen has practiced and taught at the University of Missouri, Columbia for over 27 years as well as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital for 20 years. During his time at the University, Dr. Christensen has served as the Chairman of the MU Faculty Council and also as the Chief of Staff for the University Hospital.

Dr. Christensen is considering running for Congress because he knows women’s healthcare is currently under attack from Congress for purely political reasons and that Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals are in desperate need of attention and funding. Dr. Christensen strongly believes that the healthcare of our veterans, women, and the American people is not something with which we should play politics.

Due to the district’s current Congressperson beholden to special interests rather than the people of Missouri and the extreme dysfunction in Congress, Dr. Christensen has organized an experienced professional team to provide him the support necessary to make a decision whether to run for Congress. His decision is expected within the month.

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