HANCOCK -- From climate to health care to women's rights to housing, education and more, Dr. Bob Lorinser of Marquette, Democratic Congressional candidate for Michigan's 1st District, speaks about the issues important to him and his supporters, emphasizing he plans to represent ALL constituents of this large district that includes the Upper Peninsula and parts of northern Michigan below the Mackinac Bridge -- not just Democrats. At a fundraiser for his campaign, on Aug. 26 at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock, he discussed the issues and mingled with the crowd, answering their questions as they enjoyed pizza, live music and a dessert auction.
"Dr. Bob is the only 1st District Congressional candidate with a lifelong record of community and public service," Troesch told Keweenaw Now. "His medical career began with the Indian Health Service in New Mexico. He was a family doctor in the UP for over 20 years, serving the needs of families. Dr. Bob and his wife then joined the Department of State and did five tours over ten years in the Middle East and South Korea. And, when leadership was most needed during the Covid pandemic, Dr. Bob answered the call to head up the Marquette County Health Department. His career has prepared him in every way to be the most effective, knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate representative of the working people in the First District."*
Issues and Concerns
During the Aug. 26 fundraiser for his campaign in the Orpheum Theater in Hancock, Dr. Bob Lorinser, Michigan Democratic 1st District candidate for Congress, speaks about issues and concerns he believes his potential constituents share with him. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)Women's Reproductive Rights
Here Dr. Bob speaks about women's reproductive rights and his support of free choice.
Health Care and Its Cost
Speaking from his own experience as a family doctor and widely traveled diplomat and contrasting the cost of health care in the United States with that in most other countries, Dr. Bob calls for government support of health care in the U.S., noting the unfairness of high costs that can bankrupt patients.
Housing
Dr. Bob speaks here about current housing needs and effects of high housing costs on working families.
Education
Dr. Bob points out how the cost of education has increased eight-fold in the past 50 years. He calls for education reform and targeted student loan relief for those most in need until that reform can make education affordable.
Two members of the Baraga County Democrats attended the fundraiser and commented on Dr. Bob's presentation.
Arlene Ross of L'Anse noted she agreed with Dr. Bob on the housing problem.
"I liked it that Dr. Bob brought up the issue of the need for decent, affordable housing because I know of people here in the UP who work full-time jobs who are homeless or living in sub-standard housing," Ross said. "I think that's so important that in our time that should be under something in Congress."
Karen De Kleyn of Baraga also had a positive reaction to Dr. Bob's ideas.
"I was pleasantly surprised at how much Dr. Bob has a grasp of the issues that are important to Democratic voters and all voters," she said.
Becky Darling of Chassell, who also attended the fundraiser, said this about Dr. Bob: "He is so accessible, and we need to send him to DC in November!"
During the fundraiser event at the Orpheum, musicians John Peiffer and Dan Fuhrmann, two members of the group Peiffer's Corner, offered live music entertainment.
Valorie Troesch added she was pleased with the turnout at the Aug. 26 fundraiser that she sponsored and organized.
"I'm pleased with the turnout for this event given the beautiful summer weather and the competition of the County Fair," Troesch told Keweenaw Now. "I'm also grateful to the many people who helped make the event a success, including the musicians, the Orpheum Theater and Studio Pizza, the generous sponsors and hosts of the event and all the other donors. Now we need to do the most important thing of all -- vote for Dr. Bob on November 8th!
Dr. Bob's Town Hall for All on Facebook Live
On Monday, Oct. 10, anyone on Facebook was invited to tune in to Dr. Bob's interactive "Town Hall for All," during which he went into more detail on some of the issues mentioned above, spoke about taxes and the role of the federal government, and answered questions sent to him via Facebook. A recording of this Town Hall is now available on the Dr. Bob Lorinser for US Congress Facebook page under Videos.***
During this Town Hall for All presentation Dr. Bob mentioned several times that one important reason he decided to run for Congress is that our present District 1 Congressman, Jack Bergman (R), is not doing his job. A recent video from Dr. Bob's campaign gives several reasons why Bergman is not representing the needs and beliefs of UP and northern Michigan constituents.****
Notes:
* Dr. Bob Lorinser's CV -- listing his education, work experience and more -- is available on his Web site, https://www.votedrbob.com/allaboutbob
** For more of John Peiffer's original songs, visit his YouTube channel, Peiffer's Corner.
*** Click here for the recording of Dr. Bob's Oct. 10 Town Hall for All.
**** Click here for a short video on why Dr. Bob is running against Jack Bergman.
