Governor Candidate Addresses Environmental Concerns in Traverse City

What is a ‘Listening Tour?’ Democratic candidate for Michigan governor, Abdul El–Sayed showed us right here in Traverse City. Dr. El–Sayed began the event by opening the floor to Michiganders. As they voiced their opinions, he listened. Attendees raised questions about the Affordable Care Act, quality of education in Michigan as well as environmental issues that directly impact northern Michigan.

“I’m really concerned about climate change and the effect it’s having on our local economy. I know for our farmers, the unpredictability of when the season’s going to begin, they’ve seen a lot of affects from new pests appearing as the climate warms… it’s really having a big effect on our area, and to piggyback on that, where is our EPA is going? Our state’s really got to do all we can to fight climate change,” said one attendee.

Dr. El–Sayed spoke at length about protecting the Great Lakes at a state level, and spent time after the event responding to concerns local to Alpena.

“We stood on 21% of the world’s fresh water. And we owe it to our region, and our country and our world to be able to protect that,” said Dr. El-Sayed.

Under his leadership, Dr. El–Sayed said he would work to revive the power of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as a regulator that matters when it comes to decisions about the Great Lakes. Dr. Abdul El–Sayed is one of four democrats who have announced their candidacy for the 2018 race for governor.

If elected, Dr. El–Sayed would be America’s first Muslim governor and the youngest since Bill Clinton.