It’s no secret that Michigan is facing some daunting economic challenges. We’re in the middle of transitioning from virtually exclusive reliance on automotive manufacturing to a more diversified economy suitable to the dynamic global economy of the 21st-century, building on Michigan’s strengths to ensure a brighter economic future for all our citizens.
In this transition, we face a choice in Michigan, one eloquently framed by President Clinton’s National Economic Advisor (and Michigan native) Gene Sperling: “will we grow together or grow apart?”
The final days of this election campaign highlight both the best and worst faces of this choice. Throughout this campaign I have focused on the challenges facing Michigan and how we can overcome the hurdles we face by ensuring our local voices are heard in Lansing. After knocking on over 20,000 doors, I have heard the concerns and ideas of the people of this district. These ideas have formed the basis of a comprehensive eight-point plan to get our state moving forward and bring good-paying, year-round jobs to our area. I remain focused on how we can grow together.
My opponent has chosen a different path. After pledging to run a clean campaign, David Palsrok has now employed the worst dirty tricks from the GOP playbook – unethical push polls, vicious robo-calls, and divisive television ads – to drive a wedge between local voters. And today my opponent told the Record-Eagle his game plan from here on out: “I’m going to do everything in my power to win.”
We deserve better. While elections are about choices, and campaigns can be rough, the way we campaign as candidates has real consequences for how we will be able to work as representatives. With Michigan struggling, we should demand that our candidates conduct campaigns that focus on the challenges we face in ways that bring us together.
In Michigan, we will grow together or grow apart. In the last three days of this campaign, I will continue to focus on how we can grow together, regardless of how low my opponent goes in trying to tear us apart.
