NILES – The 2018 campaign season is heating up with news weekly of more people announcing runs for public office as well as candidate forums. Last week, seven Democrats vying for the chance to face U.S. Rep. Fred Upton this November met at a Candidate Forum at the Niles Senior Citizens Center.
Over 150 people attended the two-hour forum which was sponsored by the South County Democratic Club, the Berrien County Democratic Party, Berrien County Democratic Women and Harbor Country Progressives. 78th State House Democratic candidate Dean Hill served as the moderator.
While they didn’t agree on all the topics raised during the forum, the seven did agree on their dislike of both Upton and President Donald Trump and the policies they have promoted. The recently passed tax bill was described as a “tax scam,” Upton as rich and out of touch and Trump as unhinged and uninformed.
Each candidate introduced themselves at the start of the two hour forum. They spoke not only about the importance of defeating Upton but also how each would be the Democrats’ best chance to unseat Upton who has served 32 years in Congress.
Portage physician Dr. Matt Longjohn emphasized the importance of electability. “Here on out, we need to focus on electability and
resisting Trump’s uninformed and unhinged policies,” he said. “I have a record of success and resistance. I provide a sharp contrast and can go toe to toe with Fred Upton. I have the most resources to beat Fred.”
Others touted their own experience. Aida Gray is a military veteran who moved to Galesburg four years ago from Detroit and said she has worked to help other veterans. At age 24, Eponine Garrod of Kalamazoo is the youngest of
the candidates and touted her experience as a millennial and activist. She works at Phizer.
David Benac noted that he is a Western Michigan University history professor, elected union representative and was a delegate for Bernie Sanders in 2016. Rich Eichholz of Union Pier is a biologist and owner of Qmulus LLC and said he’s running to “retire Fred Upton after 32 years.”
George Franklin of Kalamazoo is a lawyer and former Western
Michigan Board of Trustees member and said he’s running to stop Trump’s “reign of terror.” Paul Clements is a WMU political science professor and two-time challenger to Upton. He wants to get the “dirty money” out of politics and make the economy work for everybody.
Issues addressed during the forum ranged from how to improve the economy, health care, Social Security and education to the budget and the environment. Candidates stressed the importance of people being able to get the education and training they need as well as having union rights and a living wage.
All seven spoke of climate change being the biggest environmental concern but also mentioned closing down the Embridge Line 5 pipeline and stopping fracking while promoting renewable energy and protecting parks.
Candidates agreed on the importance of universal health care but had differing ideas about how to get there. Some wanted to gradually improve the Affordable Care Act while others wanted “Medicare for all” to take the burden off people and off the economy.
When asked about the federal budget, all agreed that more needs to be spent on social programs. Franklin said it all comes down to electing more Democrats as nothing will change if Republicans keep control of Congress. We need to flip 24 seats for the Democrats to take control,” he said. “If we don’t, nothing is going to happen.”
Each candidate was asked their greatest strength. Garrod said empathy, Gray said perseverance, Longjohn said his ability to build coalitions, Benac said his background growing up in Michigan, Eichholz said his experience as a businessman, Franklin said his ability to get things done and Clements said his commitment to social justice.
By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
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