When we launched our campaign several weeks ago, we were getting a lot of interest from several of the big Democratic consulting firms and top consultants across the country that wanted to be part of this very important race for Georgia's 13th District. I’m running against Rep. David Scott, a moderate, Blue Dog Democrat (read more about him and the race here). Our district covers the west, southwest metro part of Atlanta. It is a solid blue district that wants a progressive representative with proven leadership and I’m trying to provide just that.
In the days after the release of the DCCC memo, some of those calls from consultants were still coming. However, I think that once the DCCC made it clear that they were going to aggressively enforce the policy, the calls from those consultants ceased and a few we were in discussions with stopped returning our calls. The DCCC's stated goal is to "support Democratic House candidates every step of the way to fortify and expand our new Democratic Majority". I'm a Democratic House Candidate and I don't feel supported by this policy and I don't understand how it expands our majority. In fact, it does quite the opposite. I'm fully supportive of the DCCC effort in flipping seats. However, I don't understand why this policy is necessary, especially in solid blue districts. The DCCC should promote democracy and not stifle it. As it relates to Democratic primary elections like mine, the voters of the district should to decide who their next congressperson is, not the DCCC.
The DCCC should promote democracy and not stifle it. As it relates to Democratic primary elections like mine, the voters of the district should to decide who their next congressperson is, not the DCCC.
-Michael Owens
While the DCCC Policy could make things much harder for us it will not force us out of this race or deny the people of the 13th Congressional district the change that they want or the progressive voice they deserve. One of the keys to our victory is in using local campaign staff that knows and understands the local landscape. We are building a team that has veterans of the Jon Ossoff, Rep. Lucy McBath and former Gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams campaigns. I was at the center of each of those campaigns and know the talented political staffers that we have here in Georgia. So I'm confident in our ability to win this election. One area where the DCCC policy has had an impact has been with our ability to source a top national fundraising firm. While this is a challenge, we know that our path to victory relies on the the continued support of hard-working individuals that want change and not corporate PACs and Wall Street special interests groups.
Our ability to win this race lies with the want that people within my district, across the this country who want a Democrat that will be a solid progressive voice and vote at home in Georgia and in Washington.
We all knew that taking on a long-term incumbent wasn't going to be a cakewalk. There was no doubt that we would be met with challenges. We knew that when I announced I was running for Georgia's 13th and challenging a sitting Congressman that things would be difficult. But I stepped up for this because it is the right thing to do. This decision by the DCCC will not deter me. It will not stop me from traveling to every corner of this district and it will not stop me from championing the progressive Democratic values that the people in my district and this state want and deserve! The people of Georgia and the 13th district will get an opportunity to have their say.
If you agree, help me overcome this challenge. Share my story and make a donation today. With a filing deadline coming up at the end of this month, no other time is more important than to have people stand with me and my team now. Stand with the thousands of people in my district that want change. Take this opportunity to support my campaign and send a message to Washington that individuals should be the true difference makers in elections.
Thank you,
Michael
Website: www.owensforcongress.com
Twitter: @owensforGA13
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Dr. Michael Owens is a nationally renowned expert in cybersecurity and currently serves as a leading security officer at Equifax. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University, an MBA from Georgia Tech,and a Doctorate in Business Administration from CalUniversity. He holds additional certifications from Harvard University and the US Army War College.
In addition to his security credentials, Michael served as the Chair of the Cobb County Democratic Party, and during his tenure Democrats flipped seats in the legislature and gained a seat in the US House of Representatives. His other political / civic affiliations include positions with the Truman National Security Project, the US Global Leadership Coalition, Leadership Cobb, and Leadership Georgia.