"The Midterms Minute" is a look at the candidates and races that you need to know about, shout about and support to make sure we have a blue tsunami on November 6th. (Quick links at bottom of page.)
Primary season is in full swing. Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knocking out Democrat Joe Crowley in New York last month, was the primary victory heard round the world. And we are going to need more progressive wins like that to solidify the message that real reform is finally here.
AUGUST 2ND:
TENNESSEE (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 3rd/ General: Oct. 9th)
2nd District: Tennessee’s Democratic Primaries take place August 2nd. In Tennessee’s 2nd district, Brand New Congress has endorsed Marc Whitmire, a former veteran and small business owner, for Congress. He will now be running as an Independent and therefore will only be on the November ballot.
3rd District: In Tennessee’s 3rd district, Dr. Danielle Mitchell, a family physician, has also been endorsed by Brand New Congress and is running unopposed in the primary.
U.S. Senate: In the Senate race, former Tennessee governor and moderate Democrat Phill Bredesen is already leading in polls against rabid Trump Republican Marsha Blackburn in the race for Bob Corker’s Senate seat. Bredesen has one single-payer supporting primary opponent, John Wolfe, but he hasn't reported any campaign fundraising. Progressives may have to hold their noses in the general.
Governor: In the Democratic primary for Governor, no progressives are in the fight, but Craig Fitzhugh and Karl Dean have more than a few differences. Fitzhugh has an endorsement from a state teachers PAC, while Dean has a history of advocating and supporting charter schools. Dean has also been accused of attracting the NRA to Nashville to hold their convention there and he has no qualms about the state's capitol punishment law.
Important Dates: If you’re a Tennessee resident and you were registered to vote by July 3rd, you can vote in the primaries. If you missed this cut off, be sure to get registered before October 9th to be able to vote in the general election.
AUGUST 7TH:
KANSAS (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 17th/ General: Oct. 16th)
3rd District: In Kansas’ 3rd District, labor lawyer Brent Welder has received endorsements from every progressive organization, including Congressional Progressive Caucus. He previously worked on Bernie Sander’s presidential campaign and is running on a platform of a $15 minimum wage and Medicare for All.
4th District: In Kansas’ 4th district, civil rights lawyer James Thompson is running for Congress and has received the same progressive endorsements as Welder. If he wins his primary, Thompson will run against a vulnerable incumbent backed by the Koch brothers.
Important Dates: If you’re a resident of Kansas, you need to be registered by July 17th to vote in the primaries and by October 16th to vote in the general.
MISSOURI (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 11th/ General: Oct. 10th)
1st District: In Missouri’s 1st district, Cori Bush, a former teacher, registered nurse, and pastor, is running for congress against a long time Democratic incumbent. She’s recently been the victim of vicious, sexist trolling and is not having any of it. She’s endorsed by Brand New Congress, Justice Democrats, and others.
7th District: Jamie Schoolcraft has worked as a Fireman Paramedic, physician's assistant, and is the former Mayor of Willard for 2 terms. He ran for state senate in a dark red district, got 46% of the vote, and personally knocked on 32k doors.
Heads up! U.S. Senate: It’s also worth noting that moderate Democratic Senator Clair McCaskill is facing a hell of a fight to retain her seat in the general. Although she is no favorite of progressives, the left can’t afford to lose her seat. Another nose holding situation for November.
Important Dates: If you are a Missouri resident, your voter registration must be complete or post marked no later than July 11th to vote in the primary, and October 10th to vote in the general.
There were too many progressive candidates running in Michigan and Washington state to mention on the show (great problem to have!), so below is the "no frills" list for each state with links:
MICHIGAN (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 9th /Absentee: Request by Aug 4th, received by Aug 7th/ General: Oct. 9th)
- 1st district - Matt Morgan (Justice Dem)
- 2nd district - Robert Davidson (Justice Dem)
- 6th district - David Benac (Justice Dem)
- 11th district - Fayrouz Saad (Justice Dem)
- 13th district - Rashida Tlaib (Justice Dem)
- Governor: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (Justice Dem) (Rhodes scholar, physician & former health commissioner of Detroit)
Important Dates: You must be registered to vote by July 9th to vote in the Michigan primaries. Requests for absentee ballots must be received by August 4th and ballots themselves must be received by August 7th.
WASHINGTON (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: Only July 9th; In person request by July 30th / General: Oct 8th)
- 3rd district - Dorothy Gasque (Justice Dem)
- 7th district - Pramila Jayapal (incumbent) (Justice Dem)
- 9th district - Sarah Smith (Justice Dem)
Important Dates: You must be registered to vote by July 9th to vote in the Washington primaries or register in person by July 30th.
OHIO (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 9th / Early voting starts July 10th/ General: Oct 9th)
*Special Election* in 12th District : And finally, Ohio is having a special election for their 12th district congressional seat that has been empty since January. The winner could hold the seat for just 5 months, depending on the general, but those months will matter. Danny O’Connor is the Democrat in this race. He doesn’t have the far left endorsements, but he does have Democratic Progressives of Ohio, Planned Parenthood and the regional SEIU. And that’s gonna have to be good enough because Trump won this district.
Important Dates: If you’re a Ohio resident of district 12, you must be registered to vote by July 9th to vote in this special election. Early voting starts on July 10th and absentee ballots much be post marked by August 6th and received by the 17th.
We want to emphasize registration cut off dates and absentee ballot request and submission dates are different for each state, sometimes even each county. We highly suggest reviewing your state’s information, and voter ID laws, at rockthevote.org as soon as possible to ensure you will be able to vote in both the primary and general elections.
So, if building the bluest of blue waves is important to you, be sure to hit the share buttons to spread the word about Supporting Progressive Candidates around the country via social media so that others in your network can spread the word too.
THE MIDTERMS MINUTE (QUICK LINKS):
Check on candidates endorsed by Justice Democrats | Brand New Congress | DSA | Latino Victory | Our Revolution
Check your state deadlines and voter ID laws with rockthevote.org
For an easy way to donate to candidates, check out DownTicket.com on your mobile browser.
“15 Ways to Help a Campaign Win Their Election” (Political Charge)
August 2nd Primaries:
Tennessee (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 3rd/ General: Oct. 9th)
U.S. House - 2nd District: Marc Whitmire (not on primary ballot, running as Independent in November)
U.S. House - 3rd District: Dr. Danielle Mitchell (unopposed in primary, could face incumbent Charles Fleischmann in the general)
Governor - Craig Fitzhugh vs. Karl Dean (Dem debate coverage)
U.S. Senate - Phill Bedesen (moderate) vs. John Wolfe (for single-payer, no fundraising reports filed) (Could face Marsha Blackburn in the general)
August 7th Primaries:
Kansas (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 17th/ General: Oct. 16th)
U.S. House - 3rd District: Brent Welder (Justice Dem, Brand New Congress)
U.S. House - 4th District: James Thompson (Justice Dem, Brand New Congress)
Missouri (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 11th/ General: Oct. 10th)
U.S. House - 1st District: Cori Bush (Justice Dem, Brand New Congress)
U.S. House - 7th District: Jamie Schoolcraft (Justice Dem)
Heads Up! General Nov. 6th: U.S. Senate - Clair McCaskill (incumbent, moderate Dem facing tough GOP challenger)
Governor: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (Justice Democrat)
1st district - Matt Morgan (Justice Dem)
2nd district - Robert Davidson (Justice Dem)
6th district - David Benac (Justice Dem)
11th district - Fayrouz Saad (Justice Dem)
13th district - Rashida Tlaib (Justice Dem)
Washington (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: Only July 9th; In person request by July 30th / General: Oct 8th)
3rd district - Dorothy Gasque (Justice Dem)
7th district - Pramila Jayapal (incumbent) (Justice Dems)
9th district - Sarah Smith (Justice Dems)
Ohio (Reg. Deadlines: Primaries: July 9th / Early voting starts July 10th/ General: Oct 9th)
*Special Election* U.S. House - 12th District - Danny O’Connor (Democrat)
Posted July 3rd, 2018; Written by Best of the Left Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman
Hear the segment in the context of Best of the Left Edition #1194: The why and the how to make voting cool again (Elections)
