Jeff Reetz is running for Congress in the third district of Kentucky. More than ever, Congress needs a leader with a proven track record of creating jobs and serving others. Jeff is committed to representing Louisville and moving our city forward. His top goals are to create jobs, jumpstart our economy, and decrease our national debt.
Jeff’s Values
Jeff has been a lifelong Republican and Conservative, and he strongly believes it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to preserve and protect the rights we enjoy as Americans. He believes that this begins with protecting the rights of our unborn by taking a strong stand on Right to Life, and it extends to the strong defense of our Country. Jeff believes that a strong defense is rooted in the protection of our Second Amendment Rights and continues on in our strong and unwavering support for our armed forces.
“I believe in God and believe in the rights of those who share my faith and those that don’t. Religious freedom was one of the main reasons early settlers came to America. There are many different types of religions however they all ultimately believe in a higher being or God. Different religions should be able to worship without government censure or other religious interference.”
Real Experience
Jeff Reetz has personified the American Dream. From delivering newspapers before school at age 12 to owning his own business in Louisville, Reetz has achieved what our Founding Fathers envisioned when they founded this country. Through hard work and determination Reetz has been able to rise from a modest middle class upbringing to become a business leader in his community.
Born in 1952 in Appleton Wisconsin, Jeff grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. After graduating high school, Jeff moved with his family to Southern California where he worked his way through college and earned his BA Degree in Business Administration and Economics from The California State University at Fullerton in 1977. During this time in California, Jeff met his wife of 35 years, Julie.
While working his way up in the food service industry, Jeff jumped at the opportunity to purchase a Pizza Hut franchise in 2000 that would allow him to move to Louisville, where he has lived for a total of 12 years. His roots are well established in Louisville thus making it his adopted “home town.” Jeff’s experience as a franchisee and small businessman has given him a unique perspective on our economy and the impact that government has.
Living in Louisville, Jeff has sought to give back to the community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana and supporting the Dare to Care food bank over the years. Through his company, he has had the opportunity to support many different charities throughout Louisville including the Special Olympics, Leukemia/Lymphoma charities, and World Hunger Relief. In addition, Jeff has created jobs in Louisville through remodeling his restaurants and adding new concepts like Wing Street.
A devout family man, Jeff and Julie have four children and two grandchildren. All four of the Reetz children graduated from Eastern High School in Louisville and two of the children also attended the University of Louisville. The Reetz family calls Louisville home.
Real Leadership
Jeff has never been part of the political process until now, but he feels he can no longer sit idly by. Jeff’s life to date has been about leadership through raising a family of four children and building upon a successful business career that has allowed him to own his own business that employs over 700 people in 4 states. His wife of 35 years, Julie, has been by his side each and every step of the way and will be there as they move to this next phase of their lives
Jeff started working at the age of 12 delivering newspapers before school for 50 cents a day. In high school he got his first job in a restaurant cleaning tables and washing dishes for $1 an hour. At age 19 he managed his first restaurant and at age 29 was responsible for managing a region of 50 Taco Bell restaurants. Jeff continued to advance his career in the foodservice industry with progressively challenging assignments that culminated with his purchase of 25 Pizza Hut restaurants in Louisville and Southern Indiana in 2000. Today Reetz owns a total of 30 Pizza Hut restaurants in four states employing roughly 700 full and part time employees.
Over the past ten years Reetz has grown his company into a very successful business. His oldest son Brian has been with the company for two years and has taken over responsibility for the day to day operation of the business allowing Jeff the opportunity to campaign for public office. Jeff’s life has been about creating jobs, signing the front of a paycheck and working to provide benefits and well being for those 700 employees. He wants to take this knowledge to Washington to create more jobs for Louisvillians.
“I love my adopted home town of Louisville and want to see our community and country succeed and thrive. I want my children and all Americans to have the same opportunity to work for and achieve the kind of success that I have. That is what makes America great.”
Real Solutions
“I have been able to be successful in my life because of the freedom that I have been blessed with as an American. I want to ensure that Government is kept in check and that Americans continue to enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities that I have had over the last 50+ years.”
“We are threatened today by those who believe that the Government knows what is best for America and Americans. They strive to control more of our lives through programs like Government Run Health Care and Government ownership of our banks and automakers.”
“Our economy, while not perfect, is the model for the rest of the world. Many different forms have been tried and failed and are still failing today. The reality of capitalism and a free market is that there will always be winners and losers. There is no guarantee in our Constitution that all men are created successful, just that each has been created equal. It is the responsibility of the individual, not the Government, to strive for and earn their success. Government must do all it can to stay out of the way and instead provide the necessary tools to succeed individually – not create more roadblocks which then stifle our free market economy."
“When elected to Congress, I will work tirelessly WITH and for the residents of the 3rd District to enact legislation that helps everyone realize the American Dream. I will listen to the voters not turn them away with arrogance. I will not treat the citizens of Louisville with disdain but instead will show them the respect they deserve. No more should the people of the 3rd District be told to stomach legislation that only benefits a select few while at the same time harms the masses. It is time to put aside egos and get to work for the betterment of our Country! I promise when elected I will represent your best interests not the best interests of one party’s agenda.”