Democratic Congressional candidate Cathy Albro says she decided to run for the U.S. House because people have lost faith in their government.
Albro is running for the Democratic nomination in the Third Congressional District, which includes Calhoun and Barry counties, as well as most of Kent County. The winner of the primary will challenge Republican Congressman Justin Amash in November.
Albro says dark money was one of the major issues that inspired her to run for office. She says transparency is needed, so people know who is contributing and who is influencing elected leaders.
A teacher by trade, Albro says inequities in the education system mean that children who need the most get the least. Albro says she wants the Department of Education to hold states accountable, and ensure that children have a chance at success.
Albro says children in poverty struggle to learn. She says families need time with their children in the form of paid vacation and family and sick time. Albro says the minimum wage should be increased, but she says they could be set by region. Albro says $16-$17 an hour is a living wage for this part of Michigan, she says it’s higher in larger cities.
On health care, Albro says a single payer system is needed with a focus on wellness. She say that would have to be paid for through taxes, but she says there would be savings in premiums and other health care expenses.
Albro has also been a small business owner. She says the Small Business Administration helped her get loans to start a child care center and a toy store. Albro says the government needs to be investing in small business owners. She says there are lots of great ideas, but not the capital to bring those ideas to fruition.
