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I have—last I checked—exactly zero hours of paid time off from my job. I have maybe half a day of sick time. I have refused interviews I really wanted to do (Hi, Rob!) because I just don’t have free time available. I have juggled campaign calls while fixing a leaky faucet and folding laundry. This is the life of a working-class candidate. This is the disadvantage of not being white-collar and well-connected. My campaign for Congress as a working Democrat is about returning that seat to the people of North Dakota.
From the oilfield rigs to the railroad tracks, I’ve worn many hats (and hard hats). And running for office — it’s a lot like working on an oil rig. It’s grueling and messy, with the constant risk of everything blowing up in your face. The difference? On the rig, you’re paid for your trouble. In politics, you shell out your hard-earned cash and hope for the best.
Here are some fun facts: The median net worth of every individual in Congress is over $500,000. Sixty-two percent of Americans don’t have a bachelor’s degree. In the U.S. House, that number shrinks to five. Professional backgrounds in business and law dominate our Congressional halls. We are governed largely by wealthy, white-collar people.
Why is it that so few working people run for office? The answer is simple: time and money. Or rather, the lack thereof.
Imagine a circus. Not the fun kind with cotton candy and acrobats, but the kind where you’re the main act, juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. Now imagine you’re doing this while holding down a full-time job, raising a family, and trying to remember if you left the stove on.
Campaigning is a full-time job. But for those of us who already have a full-time job (you know, the kind that pays the bills), finding the time to campaign is time not spent earning a paycheck. And let’s face it, the mortgage doesn’t pay itself.
Then there’s the money. Campaigns are expensive. Too expensive. We’re talking about six figures, and that’s just for the basics. Yard signs, flyers, and that all-important social media presence—none of it comes cheap.
And let’s not forget the circus — the endless parade of consultants, pundits, and self-proclaimed experts, each promising to guide you through the political minefield — for a price, of course. It’s enough to make a sane person question their life choices.
But here’s the thing: despite the time, the money, and the circus, we need more working people in office. We need people who understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck, who know the value of a hard day’s work, and who won’t sell out their principles for a seat at the table.
As a representative in the U.S. House, I’d make damn sure to push for reforms that would make it easier for regular folks to run for office.
First up: campaign finance reform. We need to limit the amount of money we spend on campaigns. Other democratic countries do this, and it works. It levels the playing field and ensures that elections aren’t just auctions won by the highest bidder.
Next, let’s shorten the campaign season. In countries like the U.K. and Canada, campaigns last weeks, not years. We should reduce the cost of running and allow candidates to balance campaigning with their regular jobs. Less time on the campaign trail means more time focusing on the issues that matter.
And let’s simplify the process. We should cut through the red tape and make it less of a circus, provide public funding for campaigns so that candidates can focus on their message instead of dialing for dollars, and implement stricter regulations on political advertising to prevent misinformation and reduce the influence of money in politics.
If we had reforms like these, we’d have working Americans representing working America. We’d have a system that values ideas and integrity over deep pockets and loud voices. But alas!
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up and join the show. It’s going to be a wild ride. And if you believe in this vision, if you want to see a government that truly represents the people, I ask for your support. Your donations, no matter how small, will help fuel this campaign and bring about the change we desperately need.
Click the link, make a contribution, and let’s make this circus a little less chaotic. Thank you.
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