Four years ago, at the midterm, I posted seven politicians who I thought deserved defeat, This time I would like to focus on seven who deserve to win.
First and foremost is Lisa Ring, 1st Congressional District of Georgia. I have never in my life seen a candidate work so hard to earn the support and trust of her district. She is a grassroots-creating whirlwind, doing all the basic retailing politics that I don't believe has ever been done in this district.
Her husband and son are military, with her son currently serving overseas. She is a former corrections officer and has experienced many of the same ups and downs as her constituents. This has given her great empathy and an ability to address problems with the everyday citizen in mind.
She doesn't take money from corporate interests or political PACS. She is funded by small donors. She is a Democrat, but she is not a corporate Democrat, She won't be beholden to any political establishment, but instead represent the interests of her district.
She'll fight to make sure you get the healthcare you deserve. She'll fight to preserve and strengthen Social Security. She'll work for a clean environment, and not for the polluters. She'll fight to get veterans all that they have earned through their patriotism and sacrifice.
If you live in her district, you have a golden opportunity to endorse a new, more representative politics. I have never been prouder to cast a ballot in a Congressional race than I will be for Lisa Ring.
Chances of winning: Not good, but there is always a chance. This area has never seen a grassroots effort like hers before. It is a district where parts are turning more Democratic, and the political polling here has not been extensive. If she does win, even my Michigan friends will be able to hear my shouts of joy.
Greg O'Driscoll, State House candidate District 178 (man, Georgia has a big ol' House!), deserves to win. He's not sponsored by big money interests, and he's just a regular Joe working at a hardware store. He's also very bright and has a great rapport and connection to his constituents and what they go through. He's going to cut through the partisan crap and work to represent the working families of his district. He's one of us fighting for all of us!
And I will be proud to vote for him on Election Day!
Chances of winning: Not likely, but his presence is priceless. This area needs to have choices, not just Republican establishment echoes.
Stacey Abrams, if she wins, will be Georgia's first African-American Governor, and also the first female Governor. Both of these are long overdue. She has run a smart race, building a broad coalition, and campaigning across the entire state, even in rural counties like Pierce and Ware. She is mobilizing the voter turnout, and I am hopeful that her run will benefit Democratic turnout throughout Georgia.
There are many reasons I will be voting for Stacey Abrams, but the most important one is she gives me...Hope. My son is ready to start college next year, and for all we've saved and planned, without the Hope Scholarship we can't do it. This may infuriate some of my conservative friends who must not pay attention to what Republicans actually do, but they will never preserve, defend and EXPAND the Hope Scholarship like it needs to be. Stacey will also protect public education and stop the madness that is putting our public dollars into the hands of private school entrepreneurs whose primary goal is not your child's education but to enrich themselves.
Chances of Winning: In a perfect world, her odds of winning would be slightly better than even. But when your opponent, Brian Kemp, is also Secretary of State in charge of elections and is blatantly suppressing the vote to favor himself, the odds fo her winning steepen dramatically.
To my conservative friends who are not bothered by this - Imagine your favorite college team is going to play their rival. Now imagine that that rival has set that the referees are to be coaches and representatives of their college! How fair do you think that would be? And you're still okay with Kemp being the referee for this Governor's race? For shame if you are!
Heidi Heitkamp, Senator from North Dakota, is not my cup of tea. She is a Blue Dog Democrat who often sides with Republicans, the kind of Democrat who, if the Democrats win the majority, can't always be counted on to support the party's position. She is particularly frustrating on gun control.
But when a crucial vote came for someone who had no business being on the Supreme Court, she stood firm and voted against him. She believed one of the most compelling witnesses I have ever seen (Dr. Christine Ford), and watched Brent Kavanaugh (one time with the sound off, observing his snarl and mean spirit, his body language that betrayed him to be the partisan hack and abuser that he is), and even though she knew it might cost her politically, she cast a vote against him. Had anyone else had the stones she did (and also Lisa Murkowski) - Joe Manchin, Jeff Flake, Susan Collins - the Republicans would be scrambling right now for a replacement nominee.
Chances of winning: Unfortunately, she is almost certain to lose. And this may also be key to the Democrats being unable to retake the Senate. Still, she is a profile in courage, and I admire Heidi for her brave and courageous stand.
Andrew Gillum poised to be the Governor of Florida. And I can't think of a more deserving person to take that job. An impressive speaker, debater, administrator, and campaigner, it has been a joy to watch this neighboring state's candidate come into his own.
Chances of Winning: Very, very good. And that makes me very, very happy.
Alexandria Occasio Cortez, young Congressional candidate from New York, represents the future of not only the Democratic Party, but our nation. If handing over the future of the country is to people like her, then I finally see a light at the end of the long, dark tunnel we are currently in.
Chances of Winning: Excellent.
Last but not least, we have Beto O'Rourke, Texas Senate candidate. By far, the most charismatic candidate in the country, if we ever really do have a Blue Wave, he will be the one leading it. He is genuinely caring about the people of Texas and will represent them on the basic human level they deserve to be represented at. Texas has been a deeply red state, but its shifting demographics, that includes people who have voted for Republicans in the past, may give Beto the chance he deserves.
You also have the extra bonus of getting rid of one of the scummiest, most pathetic politicians around, Ted Cruz. He's the kind of smarmy scumbag that even most Republicans don't like.
Chances of Winning: Toss Up. Beto would be a sure thing in most states, but this is Texas we're talking about. Still, I have high hopes he emerges victorious.
----------------------------
There is a considerable list of political figures that I would love to see defeated, including Rick Scott, the aforementioned Ted Cruz, Steve King, Duncan Hunter, Scott Walker, and many, many more. I want for the Democrats to regain control of the Senate, but if Democratic New Jersey Robert Menedez (who had been mired in corruption scandals) is defeated, I'm not going to shed too many tears. We need more candidates like the seven I mentioned above, and fewer establishment hacks.
VOTE! Everything depends on it!
No comments:
Post a Comment