Run, Nina Turner, Run!
A response to the reports that the former Ohio State Senator and Bernie Sanders’ national campaign cochair is contemplating a run for Congress.
Given the way it feels as though everything has devolved over the past nine months, I’m sure I’m not alone in struggling to find optimism in the idea that meaningful change can be achieved through electoral means. While there have certainly been silver linings along the way, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t found it difficult not to sink entirely into my admittedly cynical mindset. Having said that, recent reports about Biden’s pick of Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to serve in his administration as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has given me the most significant reason to remain hopeful that I’ve had in months.
To be clear, it is not the selection of Congresswoman Fudge that’s gotten me excited, but rather who will hopefully be running in the special election to replace her as Representative for Ohio’s 11th district: former Ohio State Senator and top Bernie Sanders ally, Nina Turner.
Joseph Choi with The Hill writes:
“Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator and prominent ally to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is reportedly considering a congressional run.
Two sources close to the matter told Politico for a report Tuesday that the Democrat has considered running for Rep. Marcia Fudge’s (D-Ohio) House seat should Fudge join the incoming Biden administration.
“Currently, there is no vacancy in the district and if it becomes vacant, things will unfold as they should,” Turner told the outlet.
Turner, 53, added when pressed, “Well, there’s been an outcry for me to at least consider it. You know, I’m a public servant through and through, but I’m just going to leave it there for now.”’
Putting aside the fact that Joe Biden selected Fudge to run knowing that Turner could run to replace her is probably the only significant concession that Bernie’s wing of the Democratic party will get from his administration, the prospects of Nina Turner in the halls of Congress is genuinely exciting.
Of all the people who have had the courage to step into the fray, be a force for good, and stand up for the working people across this country with unapologetic conviction and fervent desire to change this country for the better, few have been quite as effective, captivating, and inspiring as Nina Turner.
Recently, a video of one of her speeches that happens to capture her perfectly was shared by Ben Hallman on her birthday, in which she is filmed saying:
“When I asked Grandma what does it take to be successful in life, she said all you need are the three bones: the wishbone, the jawbone, and the backbone. She said the wishbone will keep you hoping and praying, because hope is the motivator, but the dream is the driver. The jawbone will give you courage to speak truth to power, but the most important bone of all is the backbone, because it will keep you standing through your trials and tribulations. And guess what, sisters and brothers? We can’t have a testimony without a test, and we are being tested right now for whether or not we’ve got courage enough, hope enough, fight enough, love enough to do what is necessary.”
Nina has already proven herself to be able to energize, organize, and motivate. It’s difficult to reflect on Bernie’s campaigns without also remembering her incomparable ability to excite the crowd during her speeches, and I can only imagine how the American people would respond to seeing her energy in the halls of power fighting for them. Whether she runs for this potentially opening seat in Congress, for the Senate, or for Governor, I genuinely cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her.
As cliche as it might sound to point out, it’s still worth stating that the American people need and deserve another voice willing to not only speak to the pain of everything they are currently going through during these unprecedented times, but who will have the drive and courage to actually do something to change their circumstances for the better. If anyone is the future of the movement that Bernie Sanders started, it is Nina Turner. Arguably no one serves as a better voice for everything that Bernie and his supporters believed in and fought for, and been so willing to fight for our vision.
All that said, run, Nina Turner, run!
We will be behind you, every step of the way.
