Trevor Thomas launches 'The Campaign For Us All'

Former journalist and WOOD-TV8 news producer, Trevor Thomas (D), announced his candidacy for Michigan's 3rd Congressional seat to a roomful of supporters in downtown Grand Rapids at The Gallery at Bar Divani on Saturday, March 10, 2012 as they gathered to celebrate the official launch of the Trevor For Congress campaign. Thomas will run against incumbent Representative Justin Amash (R), who won his first term during the 2010 uprising of the Tea Party, and former state representative, Steve Pestka (D).

Thomas, 29, who also worked on Govenor Jennifer Granholm's 2006 re-election campaign, has already received endorsements from Granholm herself, former Lt. Governer John Cherry, and former Kent County Republican Party chairman, Bob Eleveld. Eleveld who spoke on his behalf, referring to Thomas as someone who "thinks for himself" and who is "strong in his beliefs and will not waver."

A progressive, grassroots candidate running with a publicly-funded campaign, Thomas was instrumental in repealing the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) law, which gained the support of seven Republican senators. A key DADT strategist, Thomas claims that this is his "proudest moment in life so far" and what he points to when asked "Trevor, what can you do?"

During this campaign, Thomas intends to reach out to Calhoun County and the Battle Creek area, believing that the 3rd District's new boundaries for this election will be more favorable to Democrats. The new 3rd District includes Calhoun, Ionia, Barry, most of Kent, and a piece of Montcalm counties.

A firm believer in former President Gerald R. Ford's values, Thomas plans to support and fight for civil rights and women's rights, including a woman's right to choose, claiming that "it is not the time you mess with women." As a former Communications Director with the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, providing pro-bono legal services for 10-11,000 clients, he plans to continue to fight for Michigan veterans to ensure they receive their deserved benefits and opportunities.

His platforms also include a reclaiming of the middle-class, a middle-class which "also includes the working-class and those who are generally not included when we say middle-class," running to help the struggling working-class people in west Michigan by "leveling the playing field" and keeping jobs at home, rather than overseas. 

These are what Thomas believes "are Grand Rapids values."