Another write-in runs on Republican ticket
Drexel Morton believes that Congress should have numerous voices serving the American people.
When Thad McCotter decided not to run as a write-in candidate in late May, Morton viewed it as an opportunity for himself and others who aren't backed with thousands of dollars to run a campaign.
Morton has declared a write-in candidacy on the 11th Congressional District Republican ballot with the Secretary of State's office.
Morton, 60, a Canton resident and pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Hartland, isn't daunted by the other Republican candidates, Kerry Bentivolio of Milford and write-in candidate Nancy Cassis, who is a former state senator and state representative. When Morton saw who was in the race, Morton believed it brought an opportunity for others like himself. “You like to hear from as many voices as possible,” Morton said.
Morton said he thought about running two years ago. “When Thaddeus McCotter decided not to run this year, it completed my thoughts about running,” Morton said.
Morton said his 25 years experience as a pastor helps him conciliate discussions and views, and counsel members of his congregation, experience that he can bring to Congressional office.
“I want to reach across the aisle,” Morton said.
Morton said the three major issues facing voters are the economic situation in the United States and Europe, jobs and the fiscal crisis. “We need as many jobs that we can create,” Morton said. “The fiscal cliff that is impending on Jan. 1 needs resolution as both parties are entrenched. The Bush tax cut will expire on Jan. 1 and spending will increase, so it will be an increase in spending and in taxes. We need to solve this problem by reaching across the aisle.”
Morton describes himself as a fiscal conservative, but he describes himself as a moderate on other issues.
Morton believes that his lack of experience in government does not hinder someone in politics. “Parish politics prepares you for real politics,” Morton said, quoting another pastor.
Morton's parish consists of about 175 members, the estimated average church attendance on any given Sunday.
Morton said he knows residents throughout the district through his work in bereavement ministry, from Livonia, Plymouth and Canton in western Wayne County to Highland and South Lyon in western Oakland County. Morton is active in Pennyseats Theater in Ann Arbor.
“I'll be using Social Media and word of mouth,” Morton said about his campaign plans.
Morton views politics as a “citizen servant,” he said. “That's what our Founding Fathers wanted, citizen servants to serve in government for a couple of years, and come back to civilian life when they finish their terms,” Morton said. Running for Congress is so expensive today that Congressional members start fundraising when they begin their terms in office.
Morton has no plans to run for the short, unexpired term of Thaddeus McCotter. Morgan said McCotter's decision to resign “was a personal matter.”
Morton said the Affordable Health Care Act, recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, now is the “law of the land.“ But there wasn't any discussion about it,” Morton said about the act when it was first enacted. Morton believes both parties need to talk about health care coverage, but adds that complete coverage is unrealistic. Morton noted that Romney's plan was used in Massachusetts when he was governor. “We've been at loggerheads for some time,” Morton said. “We need to look at costs rising, and not throw the baby out with the bath water,” Morton said.
Morton also supports the government's help with the managed bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler and the bank bailout. “We had to do this,” Morton said of the bank bailout. “Without it, it may have been worse than the Great Depression,” Morton said.
Morton has Facebook pages at
www.facebook.com/RevDrexelMortonForTheHouse and
www.facebook.com/groups/325636100857139/.
Morton wants to do his part to improve Michigan's economy, When children relocate to Chicago or other cities, it is good for them to pursue work for their careers, Morton said. “But when it occurs because of necessity, it is not a good thing,” Morton said. “That talent drain is not a good thing.”
