Named an Emerging District in the DCCC’s Red to Blue program, MI-11 could be a winner for Democrats.
On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced the first 35 districts in its Red to Blue program. These candidates — which include Jerry Cannon (MI-01) and Pam Byrnes (MI-07) — have earned a spot on Red to Blue by surpassing aggressive fundraising, organization and infrastructure goals.
Also announced are just four districts nationwide that are currently considered Emerging Districts — and one of them is MI-11, the seat currently held by Rep. Kerry Bentivolio.
“Being part of this program is the first step in being named a Red to Blue race,” says Bobby McKenzie. I spoke with the Democratic candidate shortly after the DCCC’s announcement.
The McKenzie campaign has been hard at work, building a team that includes what McKenzie describes as “one of the best consulting teams in the country in terms of media, direct mail and polling.” The campaign has also been fundraising — exceeding their February goal — and consulting with the DCCC. Most important to McKenzie, they’ve been actively reaching out across Michigan’s 11th Congressional District.
We’re on a listening tour, doing an average of two house events a week to meet people — not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents, too. Something I keep hearing across the district is that we need Congress to function, and that means working hand-in-hand, sometimes with people we don’t agree with. It’s not just about good policy. It’s about good governance. It’s about getting things done.
In recent weeks, McKenzie has been meeting with small businesses, labor leaders and teachers, as well as members of the religious, LGBT and minority communities. He says the response has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
McKenzie firmly believes he has something to offer that the Republican candidates don’t.
David Trott is out to buy this race and Kerry Bentivolio is out to lunch. I’m out to work with the people who live and work in this district. I’m running for everybody in this district. That’s what a good representative should be doing. And based on what we’re hearing around the district, people want to see change. This race is winnable.
An active volunteer base is already growing in support of Bobby McKenzie. Find out more and get involved at BobbyForMichigan.com.
[Photo courtesy of Bobby McKenzie for Congress.]
