I’m running for Congress to answer the tough questions. My opponents can’t say the same.

By William Lawrence

Voters didn’t know it, but next week, all three Democratic Congressional candidates were scheduled for televised debate. That debate is now cancelled because, after months of discussion, my Democratic opponents refused to accept the terms of the debate. 

Exactly why they refused is unclear, but the bottom line is: it’s disappointing. I’ve been hearing for months from voters about their excitement to see a real debate. And, it would have provided Democrats with the opportunity to show clear contrast with our no-show Representative, Tom Barrett.

While some public officials go above and beyond to serve their constituents, Congressman Tom Barrett shrinks and hides. Constituents receive canned email responses, if any response at all. It’s nearly impossible to directly speak with his office, let alone with him.

While voters struggle to pay the bills, Barrett has enriched himself using campaign accounts. He paid $50,000 to his wife’s law firm, and claimed over $30,000 in mileage reimbursements – many times more than any other Michigan representative, and enough to circle the globe. Barrett takes after Donald Trump and his sons, who have elevated corruption and graft to an art form.

I’m running to replace Barrett because Mid-Michigan voters are ready for a change. I haven’t been waiting until I’m in Congress to meet that need for change. Barrett still hasn’t held a single unscripted town hall; I pulled up a desk in front of his office for 7 hours straight and answered all questions. He voted to kick 500,000 Michigan children off of food stamps; I helped feed over 5,000 people through the Greater Lansing Food Bank and Mulliken Food Pantry. He voted to raise our healthcare premiums; I raised funds to cancel $130,000 of medical debt.

The contrast is clear: Barrett hides, I show up. He doesn’t care about the people, I do.

That’s exactly the kind of contrast a debate could have driven home to voters between Barrett and his Democratic challengers. 

A debate between the three Democratic candidates for the 7th Congressional District had been scheduled for July 9 by Fox 47. It had been months in the making and would have been the best opportunity for voters to hear directly from the Democrats asking to represent them. It could have been a great night for local Democrats – three strong candidates delivering our critique of Barrett for 90 minutes in prime time. 

Instead, Brink and Maasdam backed out from the debate.

They claim to have not agreed to the rules, but here’s the thing. They proposed rule changes, which I agreed to, and then, at the last minute, they said they didn’t agree to the rules. I offered to talk through other changes and was turned down. 

Local TV watchers can attest that Brink and Maasdam aren’t shy about appearing on air. They’re flooding the airwaves with endless advertisements boosting themselves and smearing each other. This plays to their strength, which is hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Wall Street and Silicon Valley partners, health insurance CEOs, and war lobbyists. It seems that Brink and Maasdam would rather be on TV in ways they can control: in 30 second ad spots, instead of answering for their records on the debate stage.

Democratic voters deserve better. If you’re not prepared to debate me in a primary, how can the voters trust that you’ll debate Barrett effectively? If you haven’t shown up to serve the people along the course of the campaign, why should you be trusted to serve them in office?

My teachers at East Lansing public schools and my elders at Edgewood United Church taught me that meaningful change begins by showing up. That’s what I’ve done throughout my career, throughout this campaign, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.

On July 9 at 5:30pm, in lieu of the previously scheduled debate, I’ll be at the Capital Area District Library Downtown auditorium. We have invited Brink and Maasdam to appear and debate with a neutral moderator. If they don’t show, we’ll turn the event into a public town hall, where I will hear all questions without filter, share my perspective without fear, and dialogue with neighbors to learn and grow together.