John -- Despite the shocking lack of leadership coming from the White House, and the sluggish, inadequate response of Congress, I am truly encouraged by the way our Brand New Congress candidates have stepped up during the coronavirus crisis. A couple of weeks ago we highlighted some of the actions our 2020 candidates have taken to support their own communities in this dark and difficult time. But it’s not just our 2020 candidates who are leading the way. One of the clearest voices of moral leadership the last few weeks has come from Dr. Rob Davidson, one of our candidates from 2018. Rob is an Emergency Room physician serving a rural hospital in Michigan, one of the states hardest hit by the pandemic. Since running for office in 2018, he has continued advocating for Medicare for All as co-founder and Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Medicare. Rob is a frequent pundit sought by cable news, with multiple MSNBC appearances in the last few weeks. In these segments he speaks truth and brings moral clarity to the American healthcare crisis straight to mainstream audiences again and again. He was on MSNBC this morning, discussing the realities that healthcare providers face on the frontlines each day, and how Donald Trump’s dangerous incompetence has made this crisis much worse than it had to be.
Keep in mind: Rob is a full-time physician, working the night shift at his hospital. Recently he reported that he is unable to test 70-80% of the patients who come to his ER with all the symptoms of COVID19 -- because neither the Trump administration nor Congress have taken steps necessary to make widespread testing available. Rob’s service to his community both as a doctor and as an advocate encompass all the reasons we asked him to join Brand New Congress when he ran for office in 2018. While he may not be on the ballot this year, he continues to lead, fearlessly. These are the qualities we seek in candidates we bring to Brand New Congress, and this is the kind of leadership in Washington that people deserve. With so much frustration, fear, and despair, Brand New Congress is profoundly grateful for, and proud of, Rob’s work. If you would like to follow Rob and his foundation, look for him on Twitter at @DrRobDavidson and @cmteetoprotect. While you’re there, be sure (if you aren’t already) to follow Brand New Congress at @BrandNew535. This message is a little bittersweet; Rob came so close to winning in 2018 and could have been leading this charge from a seat in Congress right now. Seeing his leadership during this crisis really underscores how important every election is. If you can pitch in to help us get great folks like Rob elected to Congress, we would be grateful for your support.
In solidarity, Cory Archibald
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