Hey Kossacks,
Over at Future Majority, 29 year old Josh Segall is live blogging about his race in Alabama. Come join us and hear about his efforts to turn a red state blue.
As a taste, I've posted Josh's initial remarks in the extended entry.
My name is Josh Segall and I'm running for Congress in Alabama's 3rd Congressional District.
My family has lived in Alabama for four generations. I’ve always been proud to call Alabama my home.
Now I am honored to be running to represent the Third District of Alabama in Congress.
Representing my fellow citizens in Congress is a privilege and a responsibility, and I intend to earn it. Every candidate owes the voters a clear explanation of his values and priorities.
As the new congressman for Alabama's 3rd District, I will lead according to my guiding principles:
• A congressman should wake up every day thinking of one thing: how to make your district more prosperous and more secure.
I will work every day to bring new jobs and economic opportunity to our district. My top priority will be serving the people who make this district great – our veterans, teachers, farmers, workers, and families.
• A congressman must put his district above everything else—including his political party.
For too long, Mike Rogers has sided with his political party and his biggest donors over the needs of our district.
The people of Alabama deserve a different approach to governing. Our challenges are too serious and our potential is too great to let politics stand in our way.
Neither Democrats nor Republicans have a monopoly on good ideas.
Pragmatism is more important than partisanship.
I will be an independent congressman, who will always put the needs and people of my district before anything else.
• A congressman’s first job is to listen to you.
It seems simple, but some folks get to Washington and can’t seem to remember what they were sent there to do—serve as the voice of their constituents back home.
I’ll listen to what my constituents have to say about their needs, and their ideas. Instead of believing that I have all the answers, I'll trust the people of the district to tell me what has worked for them, and what hasn’t—and what I can do to bring smart, helpful changes to their lives.
I pledge to hold two town hall meetings in every county, every year, as long as I serve the people of East Alabama.
The people of east Alabama deserve a congressman who works hard for them—not for his political party, his biggest donors, or himself.
They deserve a congressman who listens to what they have to say, instead of telling them what’s best for them. They deserve a congressman who will create new jobs and invest in Alabama’s future.
That’s the kind of congressman you deserve. And that’s the congressman I’ll be for you.