The team at FIRST & 42 is always one to embrace a little bit of history. When it comes to politics, we can’t resist the temptation to let our mind drift back to the days of Rome’s open-air Forum back in 500 B.C. It was at this Forum when people first began meeting publicly to discuss politics, civil affairs, and new ideas. To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum—by responding to a questionnaire to help you get to know them better. We asked every candidate running for the same position to respond. We’ll be sharing their answers as we get them in.
To kick things off, we introduce you to Jon Hoadley who is campaigning for the U.S. House of Representatives’ seat in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. Jon is running for Congress, “Because I believe in putting people and community at the center of our decisions. Whether it’s skyrocketing prescription drug costs, global threats to manufacturing and agriculture, or deteriorating air and water quality, our country is facing massive threats to our economic security and the future of our families.” Jon supports an economy “that invests in American workers through a living wage, new training programs, and reinvigorates unions. We do best when we invest in people through training and education, and our programs are targeted to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and quality manufacturing.” Besides answering our tough questions, Jon was kind enough to share what he likes to eat on the campaign trail (pizza, of course) and how he’s carrying on the Kalamazoo County tradition of baking cookies for his legislative colleagues. Meet Jon Hoadley.
NAME
Jon Hoadley
AFFILIATION
Democrat
POSITION SEEKING
U.S. House of Representatives
DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
Michigan’s 6th Congressional District
EMAIL
jon@jonhoadley.com
WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
I’m running for Congress because I believe in putting people and community at the center of our decisions. Whether it’s skyrocketing prescription drug costs, global threats to manufacturing and agriculture, or deteriorating air and water quality, our country is facing massive threats to our economic security and the future of our families. The politics and partisanship of Washington D.C. are making matters worse instead of better. It’s time we face the future and our country’s challenges head-on with fresh ideas.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE?
- Ensuring everyone has access to high quality, affordable health care and lowering prescription drug costs.
- Protecting our environment and taking urgent action to address climate change.
- Reforming our politics to fight corruption, end dark money, and protect the vote.
- Creating jobs and rebuilding the middle class.
HOW TO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTION OF THE OFFICE?
For far too long, partisanship in Washington D.C. has stood in the way of progress and relief for the people here at home, and if we want to change our politics, we need to change the politicians who are supposed to be fighting for us. As a member of the Michigan Legislature, I know what it’s like to have to work with both sides of the aisle to find compromise, achieve progress, and get results for the people and communities I represent here in Southwest Michigan. I’ll take this same bipartisan approach to Congress in order to deliver real results for communities here.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?
As our economy becomes more unpredictable, financial security and stability is out of reach for Michiganders from all walks of life. The middle class of yesterday feels like it has been replaced with side hustles, benefit cuts, and outsourcing. In order to truly reinvigorate middle class jobs, we must work to find new solutions to the questions of the twenty-first century. We must create an American economy that invests in American workers through a living wage and new training programs and reinvigorates unions. We do best when we invest in people through training and education, and our programs are targeted to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and quality manufacturing.
FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONG
Our team put together a Spotify playlist that is as eclectic as our team. That said, you can usually find me listening to covers on YouTube, something from Sugarland or Frankie Ballard, or anything by Jason Robert Brown or the “Dear Evan Hansen” soundtrack on repeat.
FAVORITE MOVIE
Comedy, romance, horror, and drama–in that order. When I’m watching a movie, I want to laugh with friends. I’ve watched “Bridesmaids” a dozen times, and I still laugh.
FAVORITE BOOK
When it comes to books, I don’t pick favorites. I love a book where I can learn new skills or learn from history. However, the last time I picked up a book and couldn’t stop until I finished was when I read “The Fault in Our Stars.”
FAVORITE FOOD
I’m a sucker for a good slice of pizza (black olives and green olives), but you’ll usually find me baking. In the legislature, I continued the Kalamazoo County tradition of baking cookies for my legislative colleagues and baking for others is always my favorite.
The Primary will be held on August 4. The general Election will be held on November 3. Jon Hoadley is seeking this seat as a Democrat.
