As a first-time candidate, I came in with a set of expectations about the challenges I might face running to serve Alabama in the United States Senate. With a month to go before the primary, much of what I thought about this process was true, but there were some revelations that revolted even an optimist like me.
Career politicians and the political class that surround them cannot be trusted and most are in it purely for themselves. Running for office takes a fraction of the skill it took to do what I did in the military and in business but because you have to deal with so many bottom-feeders and self-obsessed power-hungry people, great people who would otherwise make great candidates choose to stay away instead of joining the fight to drain the swamp.
We need new leaders with vision about what needs to get done to take us in a new direction and right now there are few people willing to join the fight because of the corrupt practices that are all too common among the ruling political establishment. I always knew the media and the permanent political class was out to destroy President Trump, but now I understand it at a totally different level. Now that I’m running, I see what incredible liars many of them are. Gone are the days of fair and honest reporting or public service as a means of giving back.
Take former “Congressman” Parker Griffith, who was given air-time to claim that I suffer from PTSD because I served our country. Are you kidding me? Griffith is attacking all of our veterans when he says something so reprehensible. Yet, Congressman Mo Brooks and chief of staff Katie Boyd Britt were happy to sit by while Griffith attacked the honor of the men and women who serve our country and come home and get back to work. Why? Because that’s politics. That’s how it “works.”
It’s no wonder we don’t trust the majority of people who hold or are running for political office. It’s truly unfortunate that we view public officials this way. But in so many cases – it’s deserved.
And it’s why the fight is so important – it’s why I stood up to serve “One More Tour” as I call it, to go to Washington, kick some tail, and come back home having made a difference for our state.
I am a Christian conservative who served my country for 22 years, sacrificed everything on the battlefield, raised a family, and created and ran a successful business that employs over 500 people. I’ve lived the values that make our state a wonderful place to raise a family and build a business. But of course, the shady political players have decided to aim their sights on me because I’m not their chosen one and they know they will never control me.
I have said for years that in any transition, it is the power brokers with the most to lose who resist change the most. It’s clear now that they fear losing the control they have had for years when I win this seat. I’m more qualified and have a proven record of service, but rather than let the people decide, the big money players with the big egos saturate the market with attack ads with ridiculous accusations about my character to try to sway public opinion.
In spite of all this, I’m honored to have the opportunity to run for this seat and will never stop fighting in spite of the challenges thrown my way. For someone like me, the chance to serve in this capacity could only happen in America and I thank God every day that I live here in the great state of Alabama.
Mike Durant is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Alabama
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