Once in awhile I’ll see something that comes through a candidate’s feed that conveys their message in simple and powerful notes.
And then there’s other times where a candidate tells the story of their campaign in 30 seconds and just takes it to another level.
That’s what Chokwe Pitchford, running for Michigan State Legislative District 79 did today.
Just watch it:
What a compelling ad, I bet I’m not the only person to watch it more than once!!
Here’s the text for those looking see how to convey a powerful campaign message in a few words:
”Perseverence”
I know a thing or two about perseverence.
The hospital I was born in, was destroyed.
Our home in Atlanta, lost during the housing market crash.
My name is Chowke Pitchford,
and I’m running for State Representative
because regardless of where you come from or who you are
or what party you identify with,
You deserve a State Rep who will put working people first in Lansing,
and make Southwest Michigan a place to call home.
I noticed that Matt Koleszar (MI State Rep and assistant House Democratic Leader) retweeted Chokwe’s message with a very important note:
I see your retweet and I raise you a donation link. There are currently no POC from West Mich in the #MILeg. Support Chokwe today because representation matters.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/chokwefor79th
As you know I’ve been blogging about the great lineup of Democratic State Legislative candidates (link to Impact Slates candidate list, very much worth a look) working to flip districts all over the country Blue.
As part of that, I’ve been building a social media list on Twitter where you can follow these candidates and like and retweet the messages from their campaigns. (Please do this! It makes a real impact.)
That’s where I found Chokwe’s post. It’s fresh so you should be able to see the social media views climb and add your own likes and retweets, too.
::
As dailykos’ own Carolyn Fiddler notes, we need just four seats to flip the MI House blue.
Kelly Breen (HD-38), Juli Pulver (HD-39) and Christine Morse (HD-61) are our best chance to win three of those.
Per Every District’s rating analysis: Chokwe Pitchford could well be our best shot at the fourth.
His district has seen Republican representation for the last ten years and his opponent is endorsed by both the NRA and Right to Life of Michigan. (Boo!)
Local letters to the editor and campus articles focus on Pitchford’s positions on healthcare and criminal justice reform:
If elected, Pitchford wants to fix the criminal justice system, invest in workers’ rights and working families, this way there are paths for the middle class. While the race has gone well he admits there have been challenges.
“Of course, I’ve been discriminated against not just because of my race, because of my age, because of the party I’m associated with,” Pitchford said. “Something that I think showed through was the perseverance I was willing to put in, I was willing to be called the names I was willing to be told I wasn’t going to win.”
But what brings it home to me is this.
It may well be a long shot that we Democrats have nominated a 20 y.o. in this race. However, given everything we’ve been through the last 20 years as a party, and looking at the road ahead and seeing how Chokwe powerfully frames the choice, isn’t it worth taking a moment and making a donation to at least give Chokwe Pitchford a shot?
Think of it this way, every new voter and student Chokwe Pitchford turns out to vote will add to the support for Biden/Harris in Southwest Michigan, a crucial swing state.
Also, as TX blogger nomandates shared below, Pitchford’s endorsement list is impressive:
Young Democrats of Michigan, Run for Something, Michigan Black Caucus, Michigan High School Democrats, Moms Demand Action, Electrical Workers Local 153, AFSCME, End Citizens United, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 357, Future Now Fund, Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus, and others
::
About this series:
I’m a longtime Dailykos blogger dating back to 2003 and I was part of helping local blogs and the netroots drive Democrats to take back the House in 2006.
The 2020 Democratic State Legislative candidates are heroes, and deserve our support. They are our best chance of changing US politics including GOP voter suppression and gerrymandering for decades to come and many of them will run campaigns that help us win electoral college votes and key US Senate votes:
Mokah Jasmine Johnson (GA) | Akilah Bacy (TX)| Joanna Cattanach (TX)| Ricky Hurtado (NC)| Sara Rodriguez (WI) | Franccesca Cesti-Brown (FL) | Brandy Chambers (TX) | Anton Andrew (PA)
You can also visit the State Level Impact 2020 ActBlue Page (Page created w/ an email privacy option for those who prefer to make a one time donation to multiple candidates.) As well as a Twitter Feed featuring even more Democratic State Leg candidates to follow and support.
