Tweet
He fought the good fight. Pro-choice, pro-equality candidate (and friend of the Blend) Trevor Thomas, a Michigan native who made his stamp on the equality movement in his work at the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network was defeated last night by Steve Pestka in the open Dem primary.
He was outspent mightily by his challenger, but Trevor had very high profile endorsements: Michigan’s former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, former Rep. Patrick Murphy, who sponsored DADT repeal legislation in the U.S. House, as well as out gay congressman Barney Frank (D-MA). (Washington Blade):
Thomas faced a significant challenge in winning the Democratic nomination in the race. For starters, Pestka had been endorsed by many unions — including the United Auto Workers, the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO — which are a powerful force in a state that is highly dependent on the automobile industry.
According to the Federal Election Commission reports, Pestka had significantly outraised Thomas. Pestka has raised $799,000 over the course of the cycle, while Thomas has raised $294,000. At the time of the primary, Pestka had $452,000 in cash on hand while Thomas had $86,000. Still, Pestka had accrued $658,000 in debt over the course of his campaign and Thomas’s campaign carried no debt.
Trevor’s statement:
“I spoke with Judge Pestka tonight and congratulated him on his victory in this hard-fought campaign. I told him that I look forward to working together to defeat Justin Amash in the fall. Democrats and folks from across the political spectrum are united in feeling that Representative Amash is out of touch with West Michigan values, and we need to make sure that we unseat him in November.”
5 Comments
I’m glad to see the guy with the most money wins again.
/snark
Congratulations to Trevor on running a good race and acting with class, though.
Trevor fought the good fight. Sometimes nice, good guys do finish last.
I am 0 for 4 in this year’s primaries. Trevor. Eric Griego. Darcy Burner. Normon Solomon.
All of them run over by the DCCC machine.
As the NYT put it, In Primaries, Democrats’ Preferred Candidates Are Winners.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/in-primaries-democrats-preferred-candidates-including-republicans-are-winners/
Confess that I knew nothing about this race, but kudos to Mr. Thomas for his valient effort. I hope that he continues to run for office. Seems like someone worthwhile and willing to work for the interests of the 99% for a change. Best of luck in the future.
Thanks for the post. Good to learn about this.
For starters, Pestka had been endorsed by many unions — including the United Auto Workers, the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO — which are a powerful force in a state that is highly dependent on the automobile industry.
Michigan labor unions are powerful* but definitely not progressive. The UAW, which is the biggest dog in the kennel, and holds de facto control over the state party, all but endorsed Thaddeus McQuitter–I mean McCotter–in 2008. With friends like these, who needs enemies?
* Even their numbers have shrunk dramatically, their influence over the Michigan Democratic Party has not diminished. The MDP itself has become weaker and its candidates less progressive. Coincidence? I think not.