Alex Singer, Progressive Democratic Candidate in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.
When I got into this race, I was fighting for a $15 minimum wage, understood the importance of single-payer healthcare, equality for ALL Americans, rich AND poor and protecting and advancing women’s rights, LGBTQ Rights, Latino rights, Native American Rights and Disability rights, as well as knowing that Black Lives DEFINITELY Matter. I knew that the only way to truly get money out of politics and mean it was running a grassroots campaign that was funded solely by small donations. I have continued to fight for these issues and stay consistent on these issues and will continue to through the rest of this campaign.
So, when I came out with my endorsement for Bernie Sanders for President, I did so because I aligned with his platform and vision for the country, not out of hatred or rejection of Hillary Clinton. For me, the difference between these two candidates is Progressive and Progressive. What I mean by that, is that on 95% of the issues, there is agreement on what the problems are and 95% agreement on the solutions to these problems. To demonstrate this point, I point out that a President Hillary Clinton would sign a $15 minimum wage bill and a President Bernie Sanders would sign a $12 minimum wage bill. If you don’t see that, I have no answers for you.
Unfortunately, what has happened is a movement that was created as a protest vote to a “coronation” of Hillary Clinton, has remained in that mode throughout the Presidential primary. A lot of those within this movement have lost awareness of what we are truly fighting for. When we lose sight of our goals, we are left with nothing but an aimless and visionless end.
Rules and Order:
At the convention, the diehards and true activists may understand the rules that were desired at the convention, 95% of the people inside and out of the convention room had no idea what was being talked about. While the petitions should have been heard and rules followed regarding the room having delegates seated before the passing of convention rules, a recount and a striking of the party platform was irresponsible and outright politically stupid. (For the record, I didn’t support a recount from Hillary’s side at county and didn’t support Bernie’s recount at State, for the same reason: It wasn’t fair due to many people leaving.)
The Violence:
While the individual with a chair was talked down from using it, some bottles were thrown from the Bernie side (my side), with derogatory remarks being made toward those on the stage. While the remarks at the convention can be forgiven, sort of, due to being a room for 16+ hours, a threat of violence and out and out chaos from agitators who went to the convention looking for trouble, are not. Most of those on the Bernie side are not in agreement with the idea that a convention should collapse into chaos, and both sides share in that blame, for various reasons.
I had many great friends and activists that were booed, called “hacks, corrupt and derogatory and sexist names that were shameful. I’ve spoken to many of those same people after that night, and they have told me that they have contacted the national campaign of Bernie Sanders to let them know that they are now done. These are not newcomers to the scene; these are 40+ year activists who have been arrested for protesting, fighting through convention chaos in ’68 and have fought for many of the progressive values we now have today. That is not the Progressive movement that I am fighting for or that they have fought for.
The night after the convention I condemned the violence and threat of violence as soon as I heard about it. From the phone calls and text messages that contained death threats to Roberta Lange and the graffiti on the walls outside of the NV Dems headquarters in Las Vegas, this has ZERO place in politics and our Progressive movement. I flat out told individuals that if they engaged in this behavior, promote it or support it, I do not want their support. I’d rather lose without their support than winning this race with their support. I had condemned the violence and any future violence and was met with vitriol and things I’d rather not repeat. I lost many twitter followers and supporters, and I am okay with that. Before those individuals left my campaign and social media pages, I had posted a picture of my parents and me from the convention and was told that my parents were a part of the corruption and silencing of Bernie supporters, something that was preposterous and downright rude.
Why I am Running:
As a candidate in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, I am fighting to represent ALL Democrats, Independents and Republicans in Congress. While I am a “Berniecrat”, for reasons that go way beyond Bernie Sanders, I am mainly a Progressive Democrat trying for a better America for ALL Americans. I have not lost sight of what we are trying to do in this election, up and down the ballot. Unfortunately, my opponent Jesse Sbaih cannot say the same. While I am not here to bash a fellow candidate, it’s important to note who was responsible for the chaos at the end of the convention.
At the very end of the convention, candidates in CD-3 were finally able to speak after 15 long hours at the convention. A chance for candidates to reach an audience of thousands was a great opportunity in what will be a low key, low turnout primary race. Three candidates from this race had stayed to speak to the voters, and it was an absolute honor. Unfortunately, Jesse Sbaih did not look at this as an opportunity to push his vision for this district, only chance to push his self-perceived celebrity status among the diehards. After a failed stump speech that was met with crickets, he quickly turned to phrases such as suppression and even described the NV Dems as a “Mafia” that was met with an audible gasp. Then, he made a move to hand the microphone and pass his time to Erin Bilbray, a local activist and failed candidate. After having the microphone pulled away by Chris Wicker, NV Dems Vice Chair, Jesse Sbaih called for a motion to recount, and of course, the Bernie side went wild, not understanding that it was out of order and not possible to do.
This is what led to chaos and disruption at the end of the State Convention, which forced a close of the convention with police having to line-up to protect state party officials. While I don’t believe that lives were in danger, with the barricade around the stage behind pushed back after the recount failed, closing the convention was the right call. Now, if you don’t remember Jesse Sbaih, he is the candidate that accused Harry Reid of being a bigot without facts and turned into an anti-establishment candidate after a failed attempt at being the establishment candidate.
I have been upfront about my support for Bernie Sanders but have also made clear that I am not and will not be “Bernie or Bust” and will support the eventual nominee in the Democratic Primary. I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to take a chance that Donald Trump is full of crap. And I’ll say this to make my point clear: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are NOT the same candidates. I have a wife who is a first-generation Hispanic American, and I am not willing to take a chance that distant relatives will not be safe and secure. I have a disability and do not want my President ever having made fun of someone with a disability.
We need leaders in this district, not panderers or candidates only interested in self-promotion or attention. That is not how we will achieve progress on the issues that we need to have addressed. While the bold action is necessary, that action must be responsible, safe and progressive, not self-serving. The issues are what we are fighting for, and we need to remain focused on how we can best achieve these progressive goals.
While all voters in this district need to make decisions on who they support based on different metrics, I am asking for your support based on the issues I am fighting for and my vision for the future. I will never pander to grab your vote and will always tell you where I stand on the issues. I will talk to you as a Representative in Congress when we agree and when we disagree, especially when we disagree. As a grassroots candidate, you know exactly who I am fighting for: You.
This is my story from the Nevada Democratic State Convention this past Saturday and who I am as a candidate.
Thank you,
Alex Singer
SingerforCongress.com
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