How I’ve been disrespected during this race by my privileged opponents

[Pamela Pugh for Congress]( {NAME}, I’m writing to you today to get something off my chest that I’ve stayed silent on for far too long. As a Black woman running for office in 2024 (and looking ahead to the rest of our sister Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign), I have experienced so many slights, microaggressions, and frankly – MACROagressions during this race as a candidate for federal office. For example, at our last debate, both of my opponents totally NO SHOWED and didn’t even have the simple respect – to either our future constituents and voters, or to me – to bother to spend an hour or two debating the key issues at stake in the primary election in just 11 more days. And maybe it was just a “strategic consideration”... because in politics, they say, “Don’t agree to show up alongside your opponent if you’re perceived to be ahead.” You don’t have anything to gain, and you have much to potentially lose… So, because I convincingly beat both of my opponents at the first debate in this race, and maybe because they saw the fundraising results and thought they had this in the bag, my opponents skipped our second debate of the election at the Genesee County Jail. By no-showing, my two opponents refused to uphold a commitment that was scheduled weeks in advance. To me, this is a sign: If we elect either of them to Congress, we can’t expect them to show up for the working families of Michigan’s 8th District and America—they’re going to show up for their campaign donors: the 1%, special interests, and wealthy elites. [You deserve a member of Congress who prioritizes showing up – not just when cameras are rolling, but every day, to fight on behalf of working families of Michigan, for peace in Gaza, good-paying jobs, accessible and affordable healthcare, housing, and education, climate reform, gun safety, and so much more.]( My opponents and I are glaringly different, and this was even more apparent on Thursday. They are politicians who can’t keep their word, shy away from easy responsibilities, and won't step up when the people need their help. Like Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, these self-proclaimed moderates are more focused on protecting their political careers than promoting the wellbeing of the very people they seek to serve. When a mother living in poverty in Saginaw doesn’t have health coverage to pay for her daughter’s asthma inhaler that she needs because of pollution caused by environmental racism – they won’t show up. When a family living in Flint is still dealing with the effects of their water supply being poisoned, causing long-term medical conditions, childhood development delays, and public health consequences – they won’t show up unless it is the politically expedient position to take. When our Black and brown children and those economically disadvantaged go to school with some of the worst achievement gap disparities in the nation – they won’t show up unless it satisfies the corporate agenda. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Matt Collier are protectors of the status quo who don’t know how to show up for our communities. Based on their debate attendance this week, we can tell they’re not even trying. If they can't even face voters at public forums, how can we trust them to face our most pressing needs in Congress? [Once again, I find myself standing alone. But to win this primary on August 6th in just 11 more days and then defeat a Republican extremist to decide who will control the House, I need your support. Will you stand with me? Please consider making a donation to my campaign. Grassroots contributions are our lifeblood and every dollar counts.]( Thank you for your support, Dr. Pamela Pugh --------------------------------------------------------------- I’m Dr. Pamela Pugh, and I’m a Saginaw native running for Congress in Michigan's 8th District. I've spent my career fighting to improve the lives of Michigan residents through public health initiatives, and as the Chief Public Health Advisor for Flint I played a pivotal role in standing alongside Flint residents during the water crisis. As a public servant, I currently serve as the President of the Michigan State Board of Education, a statewide elected position. I believe in standing up for the people and fighting for our democracy, our children, and our future. I've lived in Michigan's 8th District for my entire life and it will be the honor of a lifetime to represent my community in the House of Representatives. I'm relying on grassroots contributions to fuel my campaign to victory — [so please chip in what you can right now!]( Our email list is an important tool for us to reach Democrats and activists in Michigan and around the country. If you no longer wish to receive emails from us, please use [this link to unsubscribe.]( Pugh for Michigan 4580 State Street Saginaw, MI 48603 United States Unit 138 Paid for by Pugh for Michigan | Eric Welsby, Treasurer