What we’re really voting for

I have seen a lot of infighting recently. I understand this year – more than any other – passions are high and stakes are even higher. As Democrats, we hold ourselves to a high standard and this, of all times, is something we must take seriously. This isn’t about voting for the “lesser of two evils.” This is about voting against Republicans (who are literally doing everything within their power to kill us) or for Democrats (who believe in reality and doing good).

Local Collin County candidates in today’s runoff – Sean McCaffity and Lulu Seikaly (running for CD3) & Lorenzo Sanchez and Tom Adair (running for HD 67) – all believe in reality. They know COVID-19 is real; they know climate change is something we need to take action on; they know voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around; they know healthcare is a right; and, they know women’s healthcare is one of many issues facing women in the U.S. right now.

Lest we forget…

None of the candidates are perfect. No one ever is. But, lest anyone forget what we’re up against: Van Taylor, the current Congressman for CD3, votes with Trump 96.3% of the time. He voted against:

• The Violence Against Women Act
• Extending housing assistance in response to the coronavirus pandemic
• Expanding the Affordable Care Act
• Combating brutality and racial discrimination by police
• Providing disaster aid for Puerto Rico
• Requiring the EPA to issue regulations regarding certain chemicals
• Impeaching Trump on a charge of abuse of power
• Restoring parts of the Voting Rights Act
• Requiring health care and social service employers to have plans for preventing workplace violence
• Permanently banning new uranium mines near the Grand Canyon
• Overturning Trump’s emergency declaration for border wall funding
• Establishing humanitarian standards for people in the custody of Customs and Border Protection
• Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.

I could go on, but let’s move on to Jeff Leach (the current state rep for HD 67), who voted to and/or sponsored legislation to:

• Increase penalties for pipeline protesting
• Authorize storage and transportation of firearms in school parking areas
• Authorize law enforcement officers to carry on school property
• Require additional reporting for abortions performed on minors
• Premium increase for non-emergency abortions
• Authorize child placement agencies to deny services based on religion
• Prohibit one-punch straight-ticket voting
• Prohibit sanctuary cities
• Authorize religious organizations to decline to perform marriage services
• Authorize open carry of handguns
• Increase abortion facility requirements and prohibits abortions after 20 weeks
• Require drug testing for unemployment benefits

Leach also voted AGAINST:

• Requiring equal pay for women
• Establishing term limits for certain elected officials
• Establishing a free breakfast program for students

I could go on, but let’s get back to the point: THERE IS NO SITUATION IN WHICH VAN TAYLOR OR JEFF LEACH SHOULD BE VOTED FOR OVER ANY OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THESE RACES.

The big picture

Remember that after the primary runoff results are in, and despite whether your favored candidate won, and whatever mudslinging happened leading up to the runoff, we ALL have to work like hell to elect that Democrat and every single other Democrat on the ballot.

I’ll even share a personal anecdote to emphasize the need to #VoteBlueNoMatterWho: My image was used in an attack ad, without my permission, by one of the candidates in this runoff. I am not happy about it, but if that candidate wins the runoff, I will absolutely tell everyone to support and vote for that candidate. I’ll even do my part to volunteer for that campaign.

I have personally met, many times, with Jeff Leach and Van Taylor. I have personally met, many times, with each of these four Democratic candidates. I will vote for any of them in a heartbeat over the Republicans who have repeatedly and audaciously endangered my family, my loved ones, and the state I call home.

Remember: the enemy here is the other side and the people who represent it, not each other. Stay in the good fight and #VoteBlueNoMatterWho.

 

Sarah Lassberg Mitchell is Co-Chair of WOW Dems’ Candidate Committee & was the founder of the Collin County Moms Demand Action organization.