On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., held “An Evening for Patriotism and Bipartisanship” at East Lansing High School. Slotkin and Cheney spoke to a sold-out crowd of more than 600 people about the importance of putting one’s country first — before politics, before winning elections, and before yourself.
The event comes after Cheney backed Slotkin’s re-election campaign, the first time Cheney has ever endorsed a Democratic candidate.
“I believe that our democracy is the ultimate kitchen table issue,” said Slotkin. “It’s not even the kitchen table. Our democracy is the foundation of the home in which the kitchen table sits … I believe in two healthy parties, with empathy, that push and pull on each other to create durable change.”
“This is the first time I’ve ever campaigned for a Democrat. And I have to tell you that it was not a hard decision at all,” said Cheney. “If we want to ensure the survival of our republic, we have to walk away from politics as usual. We have to stand up, every one of us, and say, We’re going to do what’s right for this country. We’re gonna look beyond partisan politics. If the people in our party aren’t doing the job we want them to do, we’re going to vote for the other party. Because we’re Americans above all else.”
“We have had these difficult moments in the past… but we have gotten through those moments because of two things: engaged citizens and principled leaders,” said Slotkin. “I thank every one of you for watching, for listening, for attending, for being those engaged citizens. For caring about your community and your country. And my commitment is that I’ll do my best to be the principled leader you deserve.”
Both Slotkin and Cheney served in national security roles before being elected to Congress, with Slotkin serving in the CIA and at the Pentagon and Cheney serving in the State Department. They work together on the House Armed Services Committee.
