JACK CARR RUNNING FOR THE P.C'S???? hmmmm....

Charles 04_07_05 069, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

I'm not sure about this one? hmmmmm....

Does anyone have a point of view on this one?

I was surprised when someone told me this evening that I had a letter printed in the Irving's newspaper.

I look for the letter and found this on the front page.

Is this really front page news?

Here's the story -

Daily Gleaner | Politics
As published on page A1/A2 on March 10, 2006

Seeing double? Jack Carr plans to follow in brother's footsteps

By KATHY KAUFIELD
Telegraph-Journal

Jack Carr is mistaken for his identical twin brother, politician Jody Carr, every day - sometimes twice a day.

But now, after seven years of voters mistakenly directing comments, questions and even complaints his way, Jack Carr wants to be an MLA.

The former radio announcer and journalist announced Thursday he will run for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the newly proposed riding of Grand Lake-Gagetown, setting up the possibility of a New Brunswick - and maybe even Canadian - political first.

If Jack Carr wins the nomination, he and his brother would become what is likely the first set of identical twins to run in a New Brunswick provincial election campaign.

And if the brothers win their seats, they could make political history again as the first set of identical twins to serve together as MLAs in a legislature.

"I expect people to do a double take (as I campaign) ... And I welcome that. It's going to be fun," Jack Carr said.

He added jokingly that maybe he can even save some campaign dollars by painting a goatee on his brother's pictures for his own brochures and signs.

Neither of the brothers know for certain whether other identical twins have campaigned and served together in the same legislature but both acknowledge it's unlikely.

But Jack Carr says he didn't decide to run to make political history. Rather, he says he decided to run because he has a passion for politics, for public service and for the people of Grand Lake-Gagetown.

"We both share a passion, I think, for people," Jody Carr said.

The 30-year-old twins are well-known in political circles and in the Fredericton area.

Jack Carr has been at his brother's side during all his past election campaigns and more recently as a communications officer for backbench government MLAs.

"We're pretty close friends," Jody Carr said, adding the two usually talk every day.

The twins often finish each other's sentences, share similar likes and dislikes when it comes to food, claim there isn't an issue on which they disagree and have voices that are so similar people often confuse them on the telephone.

As for differences, Jack Carr sports a goatee and is seven minutes older than his cabinet minister brother, but about a quarter of an inch shorter.

Voters won't have to worry about the Carr brothers posing as each other on a campaign trail. The twins claim they have never tried to stand in for each other on dates, at school or even for a joke.

"People have a hard time believing that but it's true," Jody Carr said. "It's not our style. We try to be upfront and forthcoming. We just weren't really raised to be like that."

Jack Carr lives in Geary but plans to move to the Grand Lake-Gagetown riding, which borders his brother's Oromocto riding. In fact, if the province's electoral boundaries commission doesn't make any changes to the proposed Grand Lake-Gagetown riding, about 4,000 voters from Jody Carr's riding will move into the riding where his brother wants to run.

Jack Carr acknowledges the fact he looks identical to the current MLA and shares a last name could help him on the hustings in some areas, especially given the fact his brother won every poll in his Oromocto riding in the 2003 election.

"I think throughout my whole life my connection to Jody has helped me," Jack Carr said. "He helped me when we were first born. He booted me out first during the birth."

Jack Carr said his brother has always been an inspiration to him, especially after he became the youngest PC candidate in New Brunswick history when he ran in the 1995 provincial election at the age of 20.

In turn, Jody Carr said he couldn't be more proud of his brother for making the decision to throw his name in the political arena.

Jack Carr will face some competition to even win the Tory nomination. He expects two to three others to join the race.

Local business owner Steven McCready, son of longtime former MLA Robert McCready, has already announced his intention to run for the nod. And if Jack Carr does win the nomination, he'll likely face current Grand Lake MLA Eugene McGinley, a veteran politician.