Mark Schauer for MI-07

Background:

I am currently the Senate Democratic Leader. I was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and before that I spent six years in the Michigan House of Representatives. Before my time in public service, I served as the executive director of the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan.

Goals:

I am running for Congress because the 7th District needs someone who will fight against those who believe that America will only succeed if we look backward. I look forward to a renewal of the spirit that made America great: by investing in our people through education, protecting our seniors, veterans, and children by addressing our health care crisis, and working to bring economic prosperity to the 7th District.

Issues:

Broadly speaking, my platform is I will go anywhere and do anything to help the people of this District: that is my record during my entire career, and it will be my legacy in the Congress. It would be very difficult to narrow the issues down to three, but I have a special interest in bringing people together to solve our health care crisis, in bringing a sensible conclusion to our involvement in Iraq, and in working to position Michigan to succeed in the new economy. I must also add that I will exercise oversight over the Executive Branch during my time in Congress, no matter which party lives in the White House.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots activists have played a role in every one of my campaigns for public office, and I fully expect it to play a major role in this campaign. I am a firm believer and advocate for Governor Dean\\\'s 50-state strategy that resulted in Democracy for America, and I have also been active in this district with the blogging community. I have been winning campaigns against Republicans in Republican-leaning districts like the 7th - including beating a Republican incumbent in my State House race in 1996 - by running aggressive field programs. I am a grassroots activist and organizer at my core, going back to my time in college as a canvasser.

DFA Values:

During my years in the Michigan legislature, I have taken many votes that have shown my fiscal responsibility: I have supported appropriate tax breaks for targeted economic development such as the Kellogg\\\'s and MIS expansions, and I have supported revenue increases to pay for the crucial services that allow us to pave roads, educate children, and train workers to fill the jobs of the new economy.

My record as a social progressive is long and clear. From my time at the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan to my time in the Legislature. I have always fought for our children and those who most need our help in society.