Why Run for Office? | Political Action
FCDC Vice-Chair and Democratic Nominee for GA Senate District 34 Kenya Wicks at Coordinated Campaign Ribbon-cutting
Why run for office?
– By Jamie Harmon, Edited by Tom Rauch
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spoken with several people about running for office and what it means to run as a Democrat. We have in Joe Biden a candidate openly running on the party’s platform. When I am listening to people discuss candidacy and being a Democrat, I keep the party’s platform in mind. I always ask, “Are you willing to stand on the party’s platform as a candidate?” The party has changed greatly since 2000.
We are now a bolder pro-life party. We are pro-life in that our platform is geared to sustaining a higher quality of life for the people of the United States. The 2020 Democratic platform starts with “BUILDING A STRONGER, FAIRER ECONOMY” and leads to “ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL, AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE.” Those items are first and second because they matter to all Americans regardless of income, race, sex, or religion. They are not just bullet points; they are action items.
Represent Your Values.
During Biden’s short time in office, we have seen unions win, have seen employment increase, have seen wages increase, and we have collected almost $500 billion dollars from those using tax shelters. Student loans have been forgiven for many borrowers despite the court cases to prevent student loan forgiveness. There is increased funding to help people purchase homes and to help maintain their current homes. On the national level, funds have been sent to the states to improve access to healthcare.
The planks in the platform are action items. One of the biggest wins for Democrats has been the ability to negotiate drug prices for those using Medicare. That win was an action item under “ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL, AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE.” After years of work from our County Commission, Fayette County will open a new treatment center this year. Another action item from the Democratic platform? “EXPANDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT.”
FCDC Vice Chair Zach Livsey Swearing In as Fayette Co. Board of Elections Member in Fayetteville, Feb. 22 2024
Stand with Democrats.
The heart of the Democratic Platform of 2020 is found under “HEALING THE SOUL OF AMERICA.” We are truly a party filled with people from every imaginable background. Our commitment to uplifting everyone, not just some, is what truly unifies us. We respect the rights of all to pursue happiness.
One section of the platform, “PROTECTING AMERICANS’ CIVIL RIGHTS,” may seem generic until you read it. As Democrats we have produced legislation, like the John Lewis Voting Rights bill, to restore full power to the Voting Rights Act. We introduced an anti-lynching law. We introduced the George Floyd Act to end qualified immunity. It is imperative that we have actual Democrats in both Congress and our State House to make these action items a reality.
Another section of the platform, “ACHIEVING RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY,” dared to mention reparations. We’re different than the party that was pro-slavery in 1828. We are now the party that dares to mention reparations in our platform. Biden has appointed a higher number of Black Americans to the federal bench than any president. Under this section, you will find mention of removing Confederate symbols. Our party has come a long way.
We need candidates who are unafraid to stand ten toes down on the party platform. Follow President Biden’s lead and be bold. We have a platform to uplift everyone. We have many more action items to accomplish. The only way we can do accomplish these actions is to have actual Democrats elected to public offices at all levels of government.
Additional links:
https://sos.ga.gov/candidate-qualifying-elected-office
https://fayettecountyga.gov/elections/ection-maps-state
https://www.georgiademocrat.org/take-action/
DPG Candidate Interest Survey
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Jamie Harmon
FCDC Political Action Chair
FAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE
