Daniel Kilgore is a Democrat who is running for Congress in Ohio's 15th congressional district, challenging five-term incumbent Republican congressman Steve Stivers. I had the pleasure of interviewing him about his platform and his strategy, and here is what he had to say.
What inspired you to run for Congress in the first place?
"There are many things that inspired me to run. Like my love for Franklin Roosevelt and the musical Hamilton, but the biggest inspiration for me to make this run was my grandmother. She always encouraged me to help others and follow my heart."
What is your main strategy to win?
"My main strategy to win is simple talk or reach out to every voter I can no matter what party they are part of. If I'm to represent the all people of the 15th district I must be able to connect to all people."
How do you make the case to Democratic voters in your district that you're a better candidate than Joel Newby?
"My life experiences closing resemble what most people are experiencing. I'm not a lawyer. I work in a call center and work shifts driving for Uber/Lyft to make extra money. I had worked two jobs while going to college and moved to find a better job and I had became homeless in that time as well. I was working two jobs and had to sleep in my car or a friend's couch before I got an apartment with a roommate. So many people in this district are facing the same issues working two jobs or more and barely getting by. Steve Stivers doesn't seem to care for those struggling, but I do cause I have been in their shoes."
If you make it to the general, how do convince your district, which is rated as "Safe Republican," to vote for you?
"When I was collecting signatures for my run I had Republicans helping me canvass. I didn't treat their concerns as party issues I spoke to them as American issues and talked out what the problem was and possible solutions. Their are more things that connect us then make us different. This approach has allowed to speak across the aisle and have republicans interested in my campaign and change for this district."
On your website, your platform includes Medicare For All, a Green New Deal, legalizing marijuana, making the wealthy/corporations pay their fair share in taxes, etc. Which of your priorities is the most important to you (including those I may not have mentioned)?
"I'd like to see FDR's second bill of rights adopted along with Medicare For All, Green New Deal and finally getting dark money out of Washington."
Regarding your platform, as part of your campaign finance reform plan, you express support for overturning Citizens United and banning lobbying. Will you also cosponsor the We the People Amendment (introduced in the House this session as H.J.Res.48) that would declare that corporations are not people, and that money is not speech?
"Yes I will cosponsor the We the People Amendment and I will also introduce my own bill titled the Aaron Burr: Public Servants Trust Act this bill will be designed to fine those taking lobbyist funds before a vote or insider trading. For these actions may influence their votes against the public interest and if they are found to have done so they maybe expelled from Congress."
Any final thoughts?
"This district wants a representative that's willing to talk to them and fight for them. For the last ten years this district has had a phantom politician and people are sick of it. I'm here willing to speak to all citizens of this district and fight for a living wage, right to job, right to own a home, Medicare For All, the right to unionize and so many more important items being called for. I maybe the youngest openly gay candidate for a congressional office in Ohio's history or possibly in US history. We have a chance to bring much needed change to Washington and actually have a government for the people by the people. Not corporate interests or Wall Street fat cats and the military industrial complex."
Thank you so much to Daniel Kilgore! If you'd like to learn more about him, here is his website. To vote for him in the primary, you must mail in your ballot by April 28.
Comments