The November mid-terms offer a huge opportunity to derail the so-called Trump-Train. Poll after poll shows the majority of Americans reject both Trump’s agenda the spineless, acquiescent GOP who have enabled his anti-progressive and down right fascist actions.

For the Democratic Party to start slaying the Trump-GOP dragon in November, it needs to work from the grass-roots up, backing and endorsing candidates that have a mandate based on the party’s very name – that of being democratic.

Pam Keith is running for the House in Florida’s District 18. Keith is up against rival Democrat Lauren Baer, with the winner going on to challenge Republican incumbent Brian Mast.

Keith, a navy veteran and attorney, states frequently that she understands the struggles of everyday households and the need for policy and legislation to help, not hinder, the American middle-class and people living in extreme poverty. She supports universal healthcare, decriminalizing marijuana, banning assault weapons and is endorsed by the progressive Justice Democrats.

As a person of color in twenty-first century America, Keith is also a vigorous fighter for racial justice and equity as evidenced in this video:

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Lauren Baer, with strong fundraising support from Nancy Pelosi, is a former Hillary and Obama administrator. She very recently moved back to Florida's District 18 after living in the Northeast for nearly 20 years. She supports stricter gun control laws as well, and according to her website she will "work to shore up and enforce the ACA, including by introducing new incentives to purchase health care on ACA markets and boost enrollment" .

Here is a video of Baer in front of Mar-a-lago responding to the potential government shut down and Trump's frequent Florida visits:

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Integral to a healthy democratic process is for rival candidates to engage in public debate with one another. Keith has been outspoken in calling for a televised debate with Baer, without success thus far.

The question is: why this stalling? Surely open, honest and passionate debate between the two would allow voters to be able to make more of an informed choice.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) seem to have Baer as a “shoe-in” candidate to take on Mast, but that’s just not the case. This is not a done deal. Keith’s passion for her fellow Floridians and Americans, and her “can-do” policies for all need to be heard in contrast to what Baer has to offer. Perhaps what Baer has to offer IS more than just the "same old politics" that many Americans have voiced displeasure with. We just don't know.

The Democrats seem to be so smitten with the fundraising power of Baer, they are overlooking something the Republicans learned this year- money by itself doesn't win elections. A candidate must be able to inspire voters, overcome apathy and connect with communities that have historically low voter turnout. The people want a candidate that reflects their values and understands their struggles.

You can add your voice to calls for the debate to happen by going to:

https://www.change.org/p/the-campaigns-of-pam-keith-and-lauren-baer-a-televised-debate-for-the-democratic-candidates-for-florida-s-18th-congressional-district

Let’s keep democracy healthy and have that debate!

*As at June 17th, Pam Keith has gone on record to state that:

“No candidate who truly respects voters refuses to debate, or engages in the gaslighting of calling things « debates » that are not. The voters have a right to measure their candidates, head to head, in a format that allows for challenge and engagement of positions. This campaign is unabashedly and unreservedly willing to do so in a televised debate. No other position should be viewed as anything but the evasion and disrespect of voters that it is.”

Here is Open Secrets Center for Responsive Politics top contributors list for Florida's District 18 candidates-

https://www.opensecrets.org/races/contributors?cycle=2018&id=FL18&spec=N

*Disclaimer- It would be disingenuous to pretend like I do not support Pam Keith. HOWEVER (and this is a BIG however) I did not get involved or have any strong opinions about this primary race until AFTER the June 7th Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee meeting where Lauren Baer spoke and took questions. I can not vote in this race as the gerrymandered map ends 10 minutes from my home. My neighborhood elementary school has a free and reduced lunch rate of 87.8% and I have lived in this area for 35 of my 36 years alive. I am aware of what Republican policies do to low income families and I know that if we don't win the seat in Florida's 18th, families like mine and children in my neighborhood will suffer. Transparency will unite us behind the best candidate.