Johnson makes case for Michigan congressional bid

IRONWOOD — Democrat candidate Lon Johnson visited Ironwood Thursday during a tour of the western Upper Peninsula as part of his campaign to replace Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, representing Michigan’s First Congressional District in Congress.

“I think that we’ve got a real shot here, this is an open seat … it’s a rare occurrence in politics,” Johnson said.

The district — which encompasses 32 counties and 40 percent of the land mass of the state — is 24,000 square miles and is one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi.

Johnson is running against retired Kalkaska County Sheriff Jerry Cannon in the Aug. 2 primary race, with the Republican race comprised of State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Bergman and former state legislator Jason Allen.

Johnson visited the Daily Globe Thursday to discuss his vision for the state’s future and his priorities.

“We need to create an Upper Peninsula where our families can stay and succeed. That’s the challenge, that’s really what it is all about,” he said. “And we’re seeing a Washington that is rigging the rules for the wealthy and well-connected.”

Johnson said the biggest difference between him and the other candidates in the race is his belief that investing and protecting the state’s people, land and the Great Lakes is the key to the region’s success.

“We need to make long-term investments in our people, in our land and in our Great Lakes,” Johnson said. “We need to invest and protect our greatest assets.”

Johnson is advocating three things to help bring economic growth to the district.

The first is to return passenger rail service to the U.P. and northern Michigan.

“For decades we used rail lines to export value away from us — lumber. Now we need those same rail lines to import value to us — tourists,” he said.

High-speed internet

He also wants to bring high-speed internet and cell service to all rural communities.

“The internet just wasn’t invented last year, it’s here to stay. It’s responsible for much of the economic growth of this country,” he said, before gesturing with his cell phone to demonstrate what needs to be done. “I have two bars on my phone right now. I mean we are in a downtown and there is no excuse.”

“We need a member of Congress that is going to go to the FCC and Verizon and AT&T and do the same thing our forefathers did,” he continued. “They brought electricity here and they created an economic boom; we need a member of Congress to be as every bit aggressive and it will have just as much of an economic impact.”

The need for improved internet and cell service will allow residents to more fully participate in America’s new economy.

“It allows you to participate in the economy that is only getting larger,” Johnson said. “One-third of our workforce can work from wherever they want in America — and that’s only going to get bigger.

“And when that’s the case, people are going to choose to live and work where? Where it’s beautiful. And that’s where we can compete.”

Protecting Great Lakes

His third priority, if elected, is the creation of a freshwater institute in Michigan. “We have a competitive advantage over every other state, and frankly over every other country, and that is that 21 percent of the world’s fresh water is right here,” Johnson said. “What we need to do is show the world how to use and protect fresh water.”

Making it very clear he wasn’t talking about selling Great Lakes water, Johnson argued this could create an entirely new industry for the state — comparing the effort to Stanford University’s decision to invest in computers leading to the creation of Silicon Valley.

“We should be showing the world how to use and protect fresh water.”

Johnson compared the challenges facing the district to those faced by the region’s founders.

“Northern Michigan and the U.P. led the world in international trade, the fur trade in the 1700s. Then we led the world in what, ore. Then we led the world in what, lumber,” Johnson said. “So we led the world in international trade … we’ve got to figure out what’s next and let’s get to it. And what I think is next is showing the world how to use and protect fresh water.”

He argued the forefathers led the world by using the same three elements — people, land and the Great Lakes — he is focusing on.

“The challenge for us is no different and we have the same assets. Let’s get to it.”

He said water will become the most valuable commodity in the world, with billions spent by governments and industry worldwide to figure out how to use water efficiently.

“We’ve got to grab that market share, put it here,” he said, adding it should be Michigan companies leading the way. “We have the most to lose, we have to show the world how to use and protect fresh water.”

Not only would this preserve the Great Lakes, it would also create jobs.

Investing in people

“We should be investing in people, and when you do, it pays off,” he said, adding one way to do that is to invest in education.

He said the state used to fund 75 percent of tuition at state universities and students funded the remaining 25 percent, but that ratio has now flipped.

“When you do that, you tie that student up economically for many years to come,” he said.

He made clear he isn’t advocating for free college, simply that it be available and affordable.

On Washington

Johnson there is frustration among the public with the status quo in Washington.

“We have too many people that are going to Washington and … losing their way. In their chase for re-election or campaign cash, they’re listening to the wrong people and they’re rewriting the rules of our new economy to benefit the wealthy and the well-connected,” he said. “And it’s not working, the evidence is here. The stock market is booming, GDP is booming … but that is not being developed in a way that is lifting everyone.

“Make no mistake, I am a capitalist. The capitalist system works. But, at the same time, we have an obligation to make sure everyone can participate and be a part of the capitalist system,” he said. “These aren’t giveaways when you help people go to college, when you support public education. These aren’t giveaways when you are building roads and bridges and rail lines … those are investments.”

Johnson said he wouldn’t be a part of the partisan gridlock that is part of the problem, adding he didn’t view compromise as a dirty word.

“I won’t have it. We need to get things done for people, that means cooperation across party lines,” Johnson said. “We need people who will cooperate and get along, I’ll be one of them.”

50-50 district

Johnson pushed back on the idea he is trying to take a Republican seat.

“This district was held for 18 years by (Democrat) Bart Stupak. Bart Stupak has endorsed our campaign; proud to have his support. He was a fine example of going to Washington and setting aside partisan differences and working to get things done,” Johnson said.

A key part of a Congressman’s job, according to Johnson, is to bring stakeholders together to accomplish goals.

“The answer to rail service, bringing internet to the communities, the water institute, won’t always come from government. Creating public-private partnerships, linking state, local and federal agencies; bringing the non-profits in, working with the universities, working with private businesses, working with finance,” he said. “You need a congressman with long-term vision to convene all those partners and bring the federal government in when it can be helpful and keep it away when it can’t.”

Ultimately what people are looking for in their representatives, Johnson feels, is accessibility, accountability and working for what community leaders want for their communities.

“That’s the kind of member of Congress I will be,” he said.