In the recent Republican caucus in Iowa, Ted Cruz won a close race over Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Dr. Ben Carson and other candidates. These results were not predicted. It seems that the Cruz campaign had sent out an email just after the caucusing started indicating that Dr. Carson was withdrawing, which was not true. Dr. Carson sent out a clarification, it was too late and it is believed the Cruz campaign picked up many Carson votes helping them win a very close, unpredicted caucus. Dr. Carson has pledged to continue campaigning against the kind of political dirty tricks which took place in Iowa.

At this point it appears there will be about 14 candidates on the Illinois primary ballots, mostly politicians. There are two women, among them a former First Lady. There are governors, senators, representatives and candidates with no previous elected experience, a former Secretary of State and a former secretary, a billionaire developer and a neurosurgeon. There is one African- American and two with Latino ancestry; the majority are white. Many claim to be conservative, one a socialist, and the rest you cannot tell. They are all trying to make a sale and, based on the Iowa results, willing to say whatever it takes to get your vote. Dr. Ben Carson is different. He is not a polished speaker and, unlike the others, answers questions truthfully.

I look at the other candidates and I just do not trust them. Somehow their words sound hollow and appear to be crafted only to get votes or an emotional reaction. When I look at how the candidates have served others, Ben Carson stands out. When I look at how they conduct themselves, Dr. Carson has earned my trust. More importantly, the other candidates do not give me the same sense of peace that I have with Dr. Carson.

I still think this country can do anything.

But for too many years we have run up our national debt, lost stature on the world stage, ignored our friends and pulled back from our position as a world leader. Dr. Carson has a plan which he has explained and you can visit his website to learn more. He has a moral compass that guides him; based on the Iowa results, others do not. Dr. Carson, a retired pediatric neurosurgeon, has spent his lifetime helping others. He has answered more 2 a.m. crisis calls than all the other candidates.

Today we have career politicians who have spent years in office because they had become experts at getting re-elected. Unlike Dr. Carson, their service has borne little fruit and today I do not recognize the country we have become. We are living in a world created by returning them to office and this does not speak well of them. This year I am not again voting for a politician from either party.

Keep in mind that not a single candidate running has been president or knows what lies ahead. When they are tested, how will they decide what actions to take? How will they react when confronted by evil? For me, political experience alone means little unless you are guided by a faith in God. I have supported both parties and have been disappointed many times. This year the choice was obvious.

One candidate has spent his life serving others, has expressed a faith in God and a willingness to seek His guidance. I am drawn to this candidate because of what he says and not how he says it. None of the other candidates have held a person’s life in their hands. Dr. Ben Carson is my choice for president. My decision was easy, I just had to cut through all the political hype. I just had to listen.

Jerald F. Jacobs is a Springfi eld civil engineer, a Sangamon County Carson coordinator and is running as an alternate delegate for Dr. Ben Carson for president in the March 15 Illinois primary.