When extreme right-wing Congressman Steve Stockman launched his comically inept primary campaign to oust Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary, he left his 36th congressional district seat open. Stockman, for his part, was one of the worst Republican members of Congress even by the low bar set by the current GOP House. Daily Beast?writer Ben Jacobs penned the appropriate epitaph for Stockman’s campaign and his congressional career when Jacobs wrote:
American politics has been rife with liars, crooks, and con artists ever since our country’s founding. But they invariably put in at least some effort to convince voters of their virtue and donors to cut a check. Stockman is different. He has failed to give Texans even the modicum of respect required to actively scam them. Stockman just may be the lamest, laziest grifter in the history of the United States and his departure from public life can only improve the political discourse in our country.
Of course as Stockman leaves Congress bereft of any accomplishments that his constituents can point too, the voters in his district, (TX-36) have an opportunity to change direction. Long before the tea party brought their special brand of silliness to Congress, East Texas was at times represented by able, fiery populist politicians. Colorful men like the pugnacious Jack Brooks and the powerful Sam Rayburn served East Texas in Congress during the 20th century. While voters may not have agreed with these men on every single issue, they could count on them to take their constituents seriously, and to put East Texas first.
Voters of Texas’ 36th district should return to the populist Democratic roots that once made Texas lawmakers some of the most effective members of Congress. The tradition of the region has been marred by the circus antics of lesser men like Steve Stockman and his neighbor to the north Congressman Louis Gohmert. The voters of Southeast Texas deserve a representative who will fight for them again, instead of another GOP charlatan or grifter in the mold of Steve Stockman. Democratic candidate Michael Cole offers voters of the region a common sense alternative to the divisive politics of the far right, and a return to decency and thoughtful pragmatic politics.
Instead of catering to xenophobia, Michael Cole supports immigration reform and a path to citizenship. Instead of trying to have lawmakers dictate women’s reproductive choices, Michael Cole supports a woman and her physician making that decision.?Rather than continuing to advance policies that benefit only the multimillionaires and billionaires, Michael Cole supports raising the minimum wage for hardworking Americans, and extending unemployment benefits for those out of work seeking to return to work.
No district is too red for common sense and compassion to resonate with voters, but Democrats need to step up and support candidates who step up to run in conservative districts. Like most districts in Texas, the 36th district’s voter turnout is well below 50 percent of the adult population. This region which once proudly elected Democrats to Congress has become so demoralized that many residents no longer even bother with voting at all. Around the country there are many districts like TX-36 where a Democrat is running to bring hope back to disaffected voters. As liberals and progressives, it is our responsibility to make sure that we work for candidates who are willing to work for us. One place liberals have an opportunity to do just that is in Texas’ 36th district. It would be fitting to fill the seat Steve Stockman occupied in Congress with someone who, unlike Stockman, actually cares about people other than himself.
For more information about Michael Cole: ?http://www.michaelcole.us/
