You might think running against 11-term Congressman Jim McDermott in the Democratic primary would be intimidating, but tax attorney Andrew Hughes has a strategy: doorbelling and phone calls, and lots of both. Hughes notes that due to redistricting, 37 percent of the 7th Congressional District is new — including Edmonds, which used to be in the 1st Congressional District — “and those voters have no experience with Jim McDermott.”
Although Edmonds will officially become part of the 7th District on Jan. 4, 2013, the two names of those who win the primary election for the 7th District in August will appear on the ballot of Edmonds voters in November.
We had a chance to conduct an email question-and-answer session with Hughes, a Poulso native who graduated from Seattle University School of Law, and received his Masters in taxation from the University of Washington Law School and also a Masters in Theory & History of International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Q: What is your strategy for trying to displace a long-time incumbent with tremendous name familiarity?
My strategy to win this campaign is to work harder and smarter than Jim McDermott. My campaign team and I plan to knock on over 70,000 doors and make 90,000 phone calls in the 7th District. Times also change, as do the needs of our community. Thirty-percent of our 7th District is new and those voters have no experience with Jim McDermott. As I talk to voters I continue to find overwhelming support for my campaign. People are tired of politics as usual, including campaigns run the usual way. My campaign will be successful because I’m doing things differently, and that will make all the difference in November.
Q: List three reasons why you believe you would do a better job than Jim McDermott representing the 7th District in Congress.
- I am not of the political establishment. I come from the community and am directly connected to the immediate needs not being addressed by our current leaders. I will bring the sense of urgency and a level of advocacy of someone who knows the problems we face are not abstract or partisan, but personal.
- I have a unique set of expertise. As a tax attorney, I have the knowledge and experience to address our unfair and inefficient tax code, redirecting revenue to education, local infrastructure, and services vital to our local communities.
- I represent a new generation of leadership. Decades in office have left Congressman McDermott disconnected from voters. As a member of Congress I will stay connected to the people of my District every single day and I will always remain accountable to them.
Q: Why do you think that Edmonds voters in particular would be interested in voting for you?
The new northern part of the 7th District is not new to me. I grew up in the 1st Congressional District, working in my family’s small business. I’ve been living, studying and working in the 7th District for over a decade. While Congressman McDermott is just getting to know Edmonds, it’s a place I’ve spent a great deal of time throughout my life. I’ve watched it change. The concerns of the people of Edmonds are the same as mine and I will be a real advocate for their interests in Washington D.C.
Q: If elected, what would be your top three priorities?
As a tax attorney, I will make our tax code more fair and efficient, because changing the code can change our lives and transform our communities.
Through equitable tax reforms, I will redirect funds to education and local infrastructure; incentivizing job growth and bolstering the middle class.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Jim McDermott created 50,000 jobs in Lesotho, Africa and was knighted by an African King. But who is working to create 50,000 jobs here in the 7th District? We don’t need a foreign knight fighting for jobs abroad; we need a Congressman who works day and night to create opportunities for people here at home.
It’s time for a new, energetic, and effective champion to represent our shared values in Washington, D.C. – and that’s what I will be for the people of the 7th District.
Please visit my website – www.andrewhughesforcongress.com – to read more about my vision for our community.
Congressman McDermott is definitely NOT disconnected from the voters of Washington state. He has consistently stood up for the values of a democratic, compassionate nation. He understands that spending 60% of our federal on military programs is pulling the U. S. down economically, culturally, and morally. What other civilized nation spends so little for their citizens: 7% for health and human services, 6% for education, 5% for State, 4% for other federal programs such as environmental initiatives, 3.5% for “Homeland” Security, 2% for Justice, 2% for Agriculture, 1.5% for NASA (much related to the increasing militarization of space), and 1% each for Energy, Labor, Treasury, Interior, EPA, and Transportation.
McDermott has had strong support in District 7 because that district is one of the best educated in the U. S. I hope that the voters in his new district will get to know Jim because his voice in the U. S. House of Representatives has been one of the few on the side of peace, human rights, and justice for all U. S. citizens. It’s important to be fiscally prudent, but even more important to stand up for the middle class and the enduring democratic values that have made the U. S. a strong nation.
That should read, “60% of our federal budget” spent for the U.S. Military…
I still have trouble typing on an iPad. Please read the entire post. Thanks. If you wish to discuss in person, please contact me.
I serve as the Pacific Northwest Representative on the National Council of the Alliance for Democracy (www.TheAllianceForDemocracy.org). I invite you to visit also our “Defending Water in Washington” page: . As communities like Edmonds struggle financially, citizens fail to see that a major cause of our fiscal dilemma is the decrease in funding available from the federal government. With 60% now going for military expenditures, it’s no surprise that in Edmonds we’re facing tough times ahead. Jim McDermott is NOT the problem; he is part of the solution. We just need more courageous representatives in the U.S. Congress.
Extremely vague with all the right catch phrases. When he says equitable tax reforms, does he mean taxing the rich the way the rest of us are taxed? That wouldn’t win him any party friends or supporters. Though I doubt that is what he means.
I’ve met with Mr. Hughes and was not in the least bit impressed. First, It is interesting that he calls himself a tax attorney and claims to have a great deal of experience in tax law. Now the real story:
First, the Washington State Bar Association does not allow lawyers to call themselves with a specific specialty. He can say he limits his practice to tax law but, not call himself a tax attorney. The only lawyers that are allowed to call themselves with a specialty at patent lawyers. And, that is because we take a bar above and beyond what other lawyers take. He is in violation of the rules of ethics. If he cannot figure out the simplest rules of ethics, how will he handle more difficult questions of ethics in Congress?
Second, a quick review of the Washington State Bar Association shows that he was admitted to the bar in November 2010. There is no information listed re where he practices. In fact, I believe, when I first met him he had only been admitted to the bar and hadn’t practiced as a lawyer.
Finally, it is Mr. Hughes who is disconnected from the public. During our meeting, I asked about his work experience. It became quickly apparent to me that Mr. Hughes has depended on the wealth of his family to pay for his education. He has never held a real job in his life. He does not have the proven experience to represent me.
My suggestion to Mr. Hughes is to get some real world experience and come back to the political field in 15 to 20 years when he can show us some real credentials.
Jim McDermott certainly is disconnected with voters of our district. I have been waiting years for someone to run against this guy. His insider trading scandal and trial in front of the ethics committee deserve some public attention. Already, Hughes has pushed McDermott to change policy on Marijuana legalization. Stagnant Democracy is not effective Democracy, I applaud Mr. Hughes!