Beat the primaries, restore democracy.
At no point on the political calendar is our democracy more imperiled than primary season. Campaigning toward the middle can be hard (and humbling).
Almost exactly a year ago, as Texas emerged from a lethal combination of freezing temperatures, failed infrastructure, and the culmination (I hope) of bad governance, I made the following observation:
The question we face in Texas is echoed in communities across the country. What do we want our elected and appointed representatives to do? More partisan theater? Throw rocks at those who don’t think like them/us? Or do what’s required to keep the engine running — our economies intact, our families warm, our dreams within reach?
We’re entering a critical period of course correction at every level of government in the United States. In Texas, where accountability is a necessary and certain first step, we also need to examine our own expectations of public service and how so many of our representatives have been allowed to stray from the fundamentals of facts, civility, and governance. Although all politicians can’t be expected to be rocket scientists, at the very least they should be proficient in the rudimentary governing skills of foresight, communication, negotiation, and consensus.
It’s now a year later and the American primary election season is upon us. Primaries are the most partisan-afflicted phase of modern politics, designed to reward extreme candidates, line the coffers of the political industry, and ensure a raucous (and proven to be corrosive) clash in general elections.
They are also the most vulnerable point on the American political calendar: low turnout in spring and summer primaries means triggered fringe interests can establish a skewed stage for the broader, generally more moderate, electorate in November general elections. Over the last few decades, this flawed process has manufactured deep divisions in the American polity and undermined what was once considered an unassailable democracy.
That said, you can only win with the hand you’re dealt.
Primaries provide the first bellwether of a candidate’s ability to rise above the fray. To balance personal aspiration with greater good to gather a majority around common cause, the work at hand, relevant policies, and our shared community. While I am certain that there’s a growing, alienated majority in the center, campaigning toward the middle in today’s environment is not easy. And I know from personal experience it can be humbling.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve been talking to candidates around the country listening for the instinct to lead by example, appeal beyond partisan lines, and, if elected, reward constituents with a proud record of accomplishment and progress, not deeper division and low road politics.
Below are some candidates worth learning more about. Some are in primary challenges, some are not. Some are veterans, some are not. Some are Democrats, some are not. Some are front runners in their races, some are sorely undervalued by existing party bias. Some have ties to the Texas geography in which I ran in 2018, some are from outside the great state of Texas.
I believe each can deliver on what I view as national priorities with distinctly local implications.
- Mend our broken political system to reflect the good will and perseverance of Americans.
- Reconcile and decrease the remoteness of the American Dream, introducing new infrastructure and fostering innovation every step of the way.
- Mentor the entrepreneurs, producers, creatives, and builders who will launch the next American Century.
Give them a look, tell me what you think, and let me know what you’re seeing out there
Joseph Kopser
Texas statewide candidates
>Agriculture Commissioner
Ed Ireson, D
A new voice in Texas politics, Ed has deep ties to Texas agriculture, technology, innovation, and business. He’s focused on the next generation of Texas producers, improving infrastructure and opportunity to ensure rural Texas has the tools it needs to participate in and sustain the state’s explosive growth. The Dallas Morning News clearly identified the value Ed brings to this race: “If Democrats are serious about gaining a blue seat connected to a very red industry in a very red state, they should elect Ed Ireson.”
>Land Commissioner
Jay Kleberg, D
Jay is also running with an eye toward the future. He’s been a rancher, professional land conservationist, and stalwart steward of Texas lands and, as the 6th generation of a legendary Texas ranching family, he knows that conservation and economic opportunity are not red or blue issues. A former Republican, Jay joins the growing number of Texans who no longer believe that the Republicans in charge are interested in delivering and sustaining the coalition that Texas needs to deliver a safer, stronger, cleaner Texas to the next generation. He’s a “white hat” candidate with the background and life experience to succeed in this important job.
>Railroad Commissioner
Luke Warford, D
Luke is not only running to address the woefully (and lethally) mismanaged energy grid in Texas but to bring transparency and accountability to one of the state’s most opaque government agencies. He’s committed to retaining and enhancing the leadership, innovation, and sustainability of Texas energy providers to ensure that the sector continues to be the backbone of the state’s economy for decades to come.
Texas Legislature
>House District 19
Kodi Sawin, I
Running for the Texas House in a newly created district, Kodi is committed to making politics local again. This district overlaps significant areas of TX-21 (where I ran in 2018) and it still represents a microcosm of the deep divides in our politics: national, state, and municipal; rural, urban; hyper-partisan extremes.
Kodi has successfully navigated the red/blue minefield in her strategic support for landowners, utilities, and private companies on water/wastewater, land use, and rural economic policy. Her experience and “more in common” approach make her an ideal candidate to represent this part of the Texas Hill Country.
Texas Counties
>County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Walt Smith, R
Walt Smith is one of those downright decent people that is more interested in getting stuff done than playing the politics of division. During my run for Congress he was always ready and willing to share thoughts, concerns and perspective with no regard for cross party divides. If we are going to rebuild our politics we need people from all parties willing to work together.
US Congress
>Georgia, District 1
Michelle Munroe, D
As the first woman to command the hospital at Fort Stewart Georgia, Michelle wants to take her medical and leadership experience to make real and lasting improvements to healthcare in the U.S. But as a “political outsider” it will be hard for her to break through the noise since political machinery tends to favor the wealthier candidates who can raise the most money.
>North Carolina, District 7
Kent Keirsey, R
Kent is a combat veteran, Army Major, and business leader and job creator in North Carolina. He’s spent his life running towards the fight, consistently delivering results for his team, family, and community. Despite his credentials, the powers that be in the North Carolina GOP are trying to gerrymander him out of a run for Congress because he refuses to hop on the “Trump Train.”
Other State Legislatures
>Indiana State Senate, District 4
Todd Connor, D
A Navy veteran, Todd is currently the CEO of Veterans for Political Innovation, an organization he co-founded to make our political system less toxic and more competitive by mobilizing military veterans in the fight to preserve democracy through election infrastructure innovation. Todd is also the founder of Bunker Labs, a national entrepreneurship organization dedicated to helping military veterans start and grow businesses.
>Maryland, District 14
Tom Smith, D
Tom is an Air Force veteran and policy director for the bipartisan For Country Caucus. Unfortunately, Maryland state politics has gerrymandered their state so far in favor of Democrats that his district is a +49 D district — running as a moderate will be a very tough hill to climb.
