You know...I really was inspired by the candidacy and upset win of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I didn’t pay much attention to the race because it occurred 2,700 miles away at that was a true surprise ending. But in the aftermath of that upset, like many on this site, I found myself in true admiration of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. She will be an amazing new voice in Congress.
For that reason, when endorsements in KS-03 started coming across my feed, I felt compelled to investigate the Democrats contending for this seat. If it got Ms. OcasioCortez onto a plane in the middle of an election, it must be an important race. And it is. So I looked for a candidate that stands out above the rest. And there is, Sharice Davids.
Ms. Davids is a progressive Democrat who is an alumni of the Obama Administration. She has humble roots, having grown up the daughter of a single mom who was career Army and then U.S. Post Office. She is a member of the Ho-Chunk tribe, and she is an openly LGBTQ woman. And in her spare time she started an organization called Starty Pants with her brother, which seeks to help small business owners who are POC or LGBTQ (how cool is that?)
I find myself inspired by Ms. Davids in much the same way I was inspired by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. I read about both of these smart, dynamic, driven young women and I think about how hard they had to work in order to achieve what they have. And I think about the way that their serving on Congress will inspire the next generation, and make it so that the next woman, or ethnic minority, or LGBTQ individual will have to work a little less hard to achieve the same level of success as a white straight male.
I’m typically a very wonkish voter...making decisions based on policies and numbers over emotions. But in 2018, a year where fascism infects our highest office, I am finding myself increasingly drawn to candidates who have a solid story...a background and heritage that has forged them into who they are.
I find myself drawn to candidates who will add diversity to our caucus — diversity in generational representation, in ethnicity, in sexuality, and in gender. I am putting really high priority on this, because I truly believe that having a Congress that works for America starts with having a Congress that looks LIKE America.
And so I want Ms. Davids’ voice to be heard in the United States Congress. We have never had a Native American woman serve. I want to hear about the issues from that perspective, and I want to have someone in government who can speak to those life experiences. But of course, that decision will be up to Kansas voters.
This diary might be misread as being snarky. I know that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed someone else in the race. I don’t begrudge her that right. I don’t think any less of her because I disagree. But I think that her candidate represents a bunch of platitudes recycled from old campaign literature that have been tossed up onto a website without much thought. (And then there have been some misjudgments that are concerning from a strategy position).
Ideology and movements aside, I just don’t see the grit and determination I see from Ms. Davids, who clearly worked her rear off for every inch of ground she’s ever gained in life.
And the diversity factor is important to me. Look...I’m a white guy. I feel for white guys who might get overlooked because we are energized by women, and POC, and LGBTQs. But in the grand scheme of things, I feel that having a diverse Congress gives some candidates an edge when we have a slate of good contenders.
I’m going to have to back Sharice Davids on this one. She’s the right choice for where we are, and where we want to go.
I would like to see both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sharice Davids sworn in next January. We will be a better country for it. If you have some time, check out her website. Perhaps she will inspire you too.
www.shariceforcongress.com