My name is Scott Withers and I am a Democratic Primary Candidate for the U.S. Congress in Michigan's 5th District. I am challenging incumbent Dale Kildee, someone whose public service I respect, but I believe is out of touch with the dire needs of the residents of Mid-Michigan.
I grew up in the small Tuscola County city of Vassar. My grandfathers, father, stepfather, sister and many uncles, aunts and cousins do or did work in the UAW plants throughout mid-Michigan. I received my dual-bachelors degree in International Relations and Broadcast Journalism at Syracuse University. While in school, I interned for CNN at the United Nations and in the London bureau. After graduation, I worked as a producer/writer and on-air youth correspondent for CNN in Atlanta. Following my time at CNN, I worked in local tv news in Tennessee and eventually moved into Public Relations where I worked on communications plans for large aviation, tourism and chemical companies. When the economy crashed last summer, I like millions of Americans was laid off. The last six months has been trying. I have lived through the fear of home foreclosure. I understand living pay check to pay check (often not making it). I can relate to the millions of good people who barely pay their bills with unemployment. I am not rich and don't have the desire to be. I live with my partner of 10 years, Lane, and our 3 dogs. I am running for Michigan's 5th Congressional District seat to help instill hope, create new jobs and solve the home foreclosure problem.
The Women's Campaign Forum is running a pretty cool contest. They're allowing members and supporters to decide the recipient of PAC contributions. The first place candidate will receive a $3,000 PAC contribution and the second place candidate will receive a $1,500 PAC contribution.
Currently it's pretty close, with Sam Bennett (PA-15)leading Vic Wulsin (OH-2).
Bennett: $10,451
Wulsin: $7,814
The contest runs until October 7th. We'll see who can energize their online supporters more.
Drew Pritt, a Democrat who became the first openly gay candidate to run statewide in Arkansas, says a progressive Democrat challenging Pryor in 2008 would be the best thing to happen for Arkansas Democrats, and he said he might as well be the one to do it.
"Senator Pryor should know better," said Pritt. "However, he has voted too often with George W. Bush and against the people. Now Senator Pryor says he wants to be bipartisan and work for progress. Senator Pryor needs to remember the Democratic Party is the party of progress and the people of Arkansas want a Senator who is progressive and partisan in that regards."
Pritt says Pryor should follow more of the example his own father, as well as Senator Dale Bumpers, set while serving in the U.S. Senate. He says the results of the November 7th Election show that the Democratic Party returned to its roots of fighting for progressive causes and nominating progressive candidates.
