Week in Review 10/27/2017
Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake's announcement this week that he will not seek re-election was met with mixed signals from both sides of the aisle. It is usually harder to defeat an incumbent. Therefore an open senate or house seat is usually seen as a great opportunity. However, in this case, the now-presumed GOP nominee, Kelli Ward,is an extreme candidate with a strong anti-choice record. Her candidacy will no doubt, energize supporters that thrive on messages of hate and divisiveness. The Democrats will have a more difficult time winning this seat. But given Ward's views, gaining this seat is even more important.
We have seen the same thing in the open Alabama senate race. The GOP nominee strives to divide rather than unite. That candidate, Roy Moore, proudly touts his anti-gay record as well as disregard for the separation of religion and state.
"Moore's ideology is an express belief that God's law and his interpretation of God's law stand on top of man's law," said David Dinielli, deputy director of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "It's an ideology that would allow those who think they know the unknowable and the mystic to impose their beliefs on everyone else."
What do the AZ and AL Senate races have in common? Steve Bannon. Bannon has been described as a white nationalist, who proudly promotes the overtly racist alt-right movement. He has pledged to unconditionally support and advance Trump's agenda, which is based on exploiting the religious, racial and cultural divide in our country. Bannon is actively recruiting extreme candidates, like those in AZ and AL, that will promote this hateful ideology in Congress.
AZ and AL are not a fluke, but a growing trend occurring across the country. Even if you don't vote in those states, the outcome will impact your life. Every Senator votes on every piece of legislation that affects you.If these types of candidates and others like them win, we will move further away from having a country which embraces equality, justice, and opportunity for all.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Support JAC candidates who will fight the extreme agenda in Congress.
Stay informed through JAC about the races across the country.
Make sure everyone you know is registered to vote. Every vote counts.
