Alabama Senate profile: Michael Hansen seeks success on the left
He endorses single-payer health care. He wants a renewed focus on fighting climate change, and calls a carbon tax "a great idea." Hansen calls for a graduated increase in the minimum wage, and says trade agreements should consider the rights of workers in this country and others.
If that agenda breaks with the mostly-centrist messages
"I am a Democrat, and I am tired of the
Hansen's views aren't necessarily outliers in the Democratic race for
But Hansen may be more outspoken in embracing the left wing of the party than other
"From my point of view, it's the best way to get all the inefficiencies and confusion out about pre- existing conditions and skyrocketing costs out of the equation," he said.
The candidate embraces a Medicare For All proposal that would gradually move the country in the direction of single payer. In the short-term, Hansen says, he supports the Affordable Care Act and ways to strengthen it, such as reinsurance methods for high-risk pools. He also supports a public option that would allow people to buy into Medicare plans, which he says would create competition in states like
Hansen, the executive director of GASP, an environmental group based in
"We've got the wild weather patterns that are only going to get more unpredictable," he said. "Sea level rise, coastal erosion on
The carbon tax -- an idea embraced by environmentalists and some conservative economists who think it can allow cuts to more regressive taxes -- is one approach to addressing climate change, he said, but he said he's willing to listen to others.
"I see that as a market-based approach," he said. "I'm all ears as to how we can move the ball forward. It's not about fighting somebody."
Hansen also supports increasing the minimum wage to
"Look at the trends over the last 40 years, wages have been stagnant for the working class, for middle-income and low-income people," he said. "We're not able to build wealth and opportunity for our kids."
While a progressive platform may seem like a tough sell in a conservative state, Hansen said he can mount a campaign, and says he has experience with fundraising through GASP. But whether or not he wins, Hansen wants the Democratic Party in the state to be less afraid of moving to the left.
"The premise is that we should keep trying the same things over and over again, but we're going to get the same results," he said. "If we have the same kind of campaigns, we're never going to move the needle. Progressives need to come out of the closet and have honest conversations with their neighbors."
Age: 35
Residence:
Party: Democratic
Profession: Executive director, GASP
Family: Single
Offices held/offices sought: First run for public office
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