It looks like once again, a good progressive is going to need a little push to get over the meddling of the Democratic machine. Trevor Thomas has declared his intention to challenge incumbent tea party, Ron Paul disciple Justin Amash for Michigan's 3rd Congressional seat. On Feb. 13, he announced his candidacy here on Kos and took questions. Thomas faces a primary on Aug. 7, and is at a critical fundraising period.
But the party has set about finding a self-funding multi-millionaire instead, candidate's views on actual issues, or appropriateness to the voter sentiment aren't particularly relevant. Howie Klein, wrote at DownWithTyranny.com last month:
Here's where we call bullshit. Our sources tell us that local Democrats, no doubt backed by the DCCC, are looking at a pro-life, multi-millionaire conservative who will run on the Democratic ticket. They think he’s a safe alternative, but most folks admit they don’t believe he has the fire to mount a decent campaign. This election is going to be about fighting for the middle class. And, we need candidates who are from the middle class to make the case to voters. That's Trevor Thomas.
There is even talk that Republicans are directly involved in helping to set the Democratic ticket. They don't like Amash, but won't set up a primary challenge.
Trevor is currently the only candidate in this election, primary or general that supports a woman's right to choose.
Got that?
So, if Trevor's opponent in the Democratic primary wins, then no matter who wins the general we're getting a Pro-life vs. Pro-life general election. Michigan CD3 will not be sending a defender of Roe v. Wade to Congress in January if Trevor does not win this primary. They will be sending another Bart Stupak.
Trevor has also secured the endorsement of Michigan's charismatic Governor Jennifer Granholm, a nice recommend for the women's vote.
Here is Marcy Wheeler's take on the race from Empty Wheel, "Grand Rapids Dem Telling People to Shut Up about Choice Again."
Even as Rick Santorum was losing MI, largely because he attacked women’s autonomy, the same local operative who told me I wasn’t well-informed enough to express an opinion on my own congressional district’s politics was telling Howie Klein he should not criticize Trevor Thomas’ presumed primary challenger, Steve Pestka, for his anti-choice views. Here’s what Howie said:
Today we now know Trevor will have a challenger for the Democratic nomination. Steve Pestka, who has started talking to the local media about his campaign, may be a nominal Democrats… but not when it comes to equality for women. This guy is an anti-Choice fanatic of the Bart Stupak school of misogyny. MIRS, the Michigan political news service, reported:
[snip]
We reported earlier this month about rumors that folks with the local Grand Rapids establishment were looking at an anti-Choice, multimillionaire conservative who’d run on the Democratic ticket. It’s now clear they found Pestka. They apparently miss the fact that this election is going to be about the working and middle class families hurting right now– not millionaires like Pestka and Amash– and it’s quickly now turning to the rights of women.
[snip]
I’m being told by a local Dem party activist 1) we shouldn’t talk critically about the local party for actively supporting a guy who–like Bart Stupak, may be otherwise great but opposes autonomy for women, and 2) I’m not entitled to an opinion anyway because I haven’t lived here long enough (no matter that he can’t seem to figure out how long I’ve lived here).
So it’s paternalism on top of paternalism, from an activist with the Democratic Party.
At top is Trevor's appearance on Current TV's
The Young Turks. I think anyone who watches it can feel confident Trevor, as a child of local autoworkers can speak the language the Michigan voters will respond to. (And I'd know, I as one for 26 years.)
Another campaign message that Trevor has uniquely is he's a typical Michigan prodigal son. The youth of the state are leaving in droves. Trevor too, spent time in Washington, DC, only to return to help his state. I think that as he talks about this it resonates, both as a policy point, "how do we stop the loss of human resources?" But it also resonates with the people emotionally. When i was a child, there were bumper stickers that said, "Will the last person out please turn off the lights?" But truthfully Michiganders do not want to be the abandoned state, they don't enjoy they put their kids through Michigan's great schools only to watch them move out of state after graduation. Trevor putting his finger on that tragedy is a good way to empathize with what many in the state are feeling, and have felt for a long time.
Thomas with Gov. Granholm, whose campaign he worked on
More from the campaign's forwarded materials.
Trevor's up against a lot. Both his opponents are self-funding millionaires. Trevor is a member of the 99%, coming from a working class family -- his mom and dad met on the factory lines of General Motors where they worked together for more than 30 years. He filed in February to challenge freshmen U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, but now also has a Democratic primary opponent who doesn't support a woman's right to choose and called Trevor's work on LGBT issues "extreme."
This is the seat once held by President Jerry Ford. Trevor's message centers on the values of Jerry Ford - a man who believed in clean water, the Civil Rights Act, LGBT equality, and a woman's right to make her own personal health care decisions. To this day, the district still leans red, which is why Trevor has already started reaching across the aisle even as he maintains solidly progressive stances. His inclusive slogan, "A Campaign For Us All," was unveiled at a campaign kickoff where Trevor was introduced by longtime Republican and former Kent County GOP Party Chair Bob Eleveld.
After working as a reporter in the community, Trevor went on to work for Governor Jennifer Granholm who has now endorsed him in the race. You can watch Trevor's interview with her on The War Room with Jennifer Granholm, which aired last Friday night and focused on his race being one of the youngest in the country.
Trevor needs our help so he is not outpaced by two multi-millionaires. Let's stand with him now. Donate here.
I know Trevor personally. He was communications director at
Serivcemembers Legal Defense Network, and we got the opportunity to collaborate on the "Don't ask, don't tell" lobbying effort. Remember that? It ended up pretty well, perhaps one of the best progressive victories of late. It earned Trevor's boss,
Aubrey Sarvis a slot on The Hill's list of top lobbyists of the year. I can assure you, Trevor was a formidable and valuable force behind the throne. People underestimate him at their own peril. Here' a whacky idea, than letting the system promote 1% millionaires, how about we help the grassroots movers and shakers move up?
So, if you're longing to send better Democrats to DC, it looks like MI-3 is a race where a big difference can be made. Freshman Republican incumbent Amash is so vulnerable, the Republican party is rumored to have thrown him under the bus in redistricting. Speaker Boehner has apparently grown weary of his tea party antics. And of all the troublesome Tea Party upstarts in the 2010 Congress, Amash has distinguished himself as particularly troublesome.
• Folks here might like to see what
Chris Savage at Eclectablog has to say today.
• Campaign site.
• Donate here.
Participating blogs
• Marcy Wheeler at EmptyWheel • Chris Savage at Eclecta Blog and Blogging for Michigan • John Avavosis and Joe Sudbay at AmericaBlog • Pam Spaulding at Pam's House Blend • Bil Browning at Bilerico Project • Joe Jarvis at Joe.My.God • Jeremy Hooper at Good As You • Andy Towle, Towleroad • Karen Ocamb at LGBT POV • Howie Klein, DownWithTyranny.com