Zach Shrewsbury is a different kind of Democrat

"The main difference between myself and politicians like Manchin and his hand-picked replacement is that I am a true working-class West Virginian."

May 11, 2024

The following is a brief Q&A with community organizer Zach Shrewsbury. Zach is a candidate for U.S. Senate in the Democratic Primary to decide who will face either Republican Gov. Jim Justice or Rep. Alex Mooney in November’s general election to replace Sen. Joe Manchin in Washington D.C.

WV Holler: What are the core differences between yourself and Democrats like Joe Manchin and your “Manchin-backed opponent” in this primary race? If elected, how would you govern differently?

Zach: The main difference between myself and politicians like Manchin and his hand-picked replacement is that I am a true working-class West Virginian. I understand the struggles that everyday Mountaineers face because I live that same life. I am cut from that same cloth and it grounds me in everything that I do. The policies I will fight for as a senator will be those that will uplift our people and push our state toward a more equitable future where all of us can thrive, not just the elite few.

WV Holler: You recently referred to yourself as “not just a candidate, but a proud member of the working class—the backbone of our great state” and have vowed “unwavering commitment to the working class” if you are elected. Why is this distinction important, and why do you think it is important that we consider class when thinking about and discussing our various political issues and campaigns?

Zach: For far too long, the financial elite have been the focus of the policy decisions in this country. Corporations and big business get bailouts and government subsidies while the working-class people are told to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps." Our government is supposed to work for us, not for corporate America—and our policy decisions should reflect that. It is important for us to recognize there has been an uninterrupted increase in wealth and income inequality since the 1980s, and people all across the country suffer as a result. It's time for that to change.

WV Holler: You have been one of very few political figures in our state consistently speaking out in support of Palestinian liberation amid Zionist Israel’s U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza. Why is it so important that we show solidarity with the people of Palestine and their fight for freedom, and why do you think so few prominent politicians across the country—Democrats and Republicans alike—have taken a similar stance?

Zach: It is important to stand up for the human rights, freedom, and dignity of people all across the globe, but what is happening in Palestine is a genocide and we must recognize it for what it clearly is. This is not a new geopolitical issue; it has been happening for 75 years. We must take a stand against the atrocities the Zionist state of Israel is committing in Gaza and against the apartheid state they have forced upon the Palestinian people. I believe the reason so few politicians have taken that stand is due to unfettered foreign campaign money from organizations like AIPAC, and the fear of being accused of crossing the line between anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic. Let me be very clear, those two things are not the same and blurring that line for political gain is nothing short of unacceptable.

WV Holler: Health care spending, both per person and as a share of GDP, continues to be far higher in the U.S. than in other high-income countries, yet the U.S. is the only country that does not have universal health coverage. 68,000 Americans die each year because they lack access to the health care they desperately need. If elected, will you fight to ensure the U.S. will as soon as possible implement a Medicare-for-All, universal single-payer health care system?

Zach: Absolutely. Our current model of "sick care" in this country is not working, yet we continue to pour trillions of dollars every year into this broken system. We must make significant changes, not only to the way we pay for health care, but to the way we care for patients in this country. This will take a seismic shift in how we think about health care, how we work with pharmaceutical companies, how we fund research and development, and how we train our medical professionals moving forward. People in this country should have access to quality health care when they need it and in the communities they trust, without facing financial ruin in the process.

WV Holler: As you know, many left-leaning potential voters in West Virginia are nearing or have reached a point of total apathy in the electoral process. They view Republican politicians as being too far gone, and they see Democrats as “Republican-lite” or too corrupt and lacking in courage to put up a real fight against the organized fascist forces ready to oppose any and all progressive movement. What do you say and what hope can you offer to those potential voters?

Zach: That is why our campaign is different. We are not afraid to take firm stances on issues that other politicians and candidates are afraid of. The movement of the Democratic establishment to be "Republican-lite" has produced nothing for this state but turmoil and political apathy. This past state legislative session is a perfect example of that. Our campaign is fighting to change the narrative surrounding political engagement and a movement toward progressive policy that works for the working-class people of West Virginia. To be frank, we are tired of choosing between cherry flavored fascism and blue raspberry flavored fascism. We need candidates willing to not only be boldly against fascism but against taking the easy or politically expedient route.