Matt Haggman
Matt Haggman (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 27th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 28, 2018.
Biography
Prior to becoming the Miami Program Director at the Knight Foundation, Haggman worked as a journalist at The Daily Business Review from 2001 to 2004 and The Miami Herald from 2004 to 2011. He received his bachelor's degree from Tulane University and his J.D. from Vermont Law School.[1]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 27
Donna Shalala defeated Maria Elvira Salazar and Mayra Joli in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 27 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Donna Shalala (D) | 51.8 | 130,743 |
 | Maria Elvira Salazar (R) | 45.8 | 115,588 | |
 | Mayra Joli (No Party Affiliation) | 2.5 | 6,255 | |
| Total votes: 252,586 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Cassandra Anna Hefton (No Party Affiliation)
- Ian Hamilton Trottier (No Party Affiliation)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 27
Donna Shalala defeated David Richardson, Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Matt Haggman, and Michael Hepburn in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 27 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Donna Shalala | 31.9 | 14,158 |
 | David Richardson | 27.5 | 12,192 | |
 | Kristen Rosen Gonzalez | 17.5 | 7,783 | |
 | Matt Haggman | 16.9 | 7,511 | |
 | Michael Hepburn | 6.1 | 2,723 | |
| Total votes: 44,367 | |||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mary Barzee Flores (D)
- Jose Javier Rodriguez (D)
- Ken Russell (D)
- Marvin Dunn (D)
- Mark Anthony Person (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 27
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 27 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Maria Elvira Salazar | 40.5 | 15,817 |
 | Bruno Barreiro | 25.7 | 10,029 | |
 | Maria Peiro | 8.0 | 3,121 | |
 | Stephen Marks | 7.0 | 2,733 | |
| Angie Chirino | 6.9 | 2,678 | ||
 | Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera | 4.3 | 1,684 | |
 | Michael Ohevzion | 3.8 | 1,467 | |
| Elizabeth Adadi | 2.0 | 775 | ||
 | Gina Sosa-Suarez | 1.9 | 760 | |
| Total votes: 39,064 | |||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gabe Ferrer (R)
Campaign themes
2018
Haggman’s campaign website stated the following:
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The Courage to Fight Gun Violence The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in comprehensive background checks for all gun sales. Implementing mandatory background checks on all gun sales will be a priority for me. And while background checks are a good first step, there’s more we can—and must —do. I will stand in strong support of an updated assault weapons ban - these are weapons of war that have no place on our streets. I will fight to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, I will work to keep guns away from the mentally ill, implement extreme risk protection order laws, advocate for child access prevention laws, and urge Congress to jumpstart federal research into the causes and effects of gun violence. At every turn and at every juncture, I will stand firmly against the NRA and the corporate gun lobby—for all of us. People Not PACs Our democracy is drowning in money, and—as a result—voters have lost faith in our political system. It’s time to turn a new page in our politics and restore trust in our democracy. I want to run a campaign that’s authentic, rooted in our values, and direct—that’s why I took a pledge to only accept contributions from people—not PACs. I have also pledged to not accept a dime from federal lobbyists. You can read more about why I took this pledge here. If elected to Congress, I would support the No PAC Act and join the No PAC Money Caucus. The No PAC Act ban contributions from PACs to members of Congress as well as the establishment of Leadership PACs. This isn’t the only or best solution to getting big money out of politics but it is a step in the right direction. In the 2016 election cycle, PACs contributed more than $360 million to just House candidates, and PACs have already contributed a whopping $123 million to House candidates for the 2018 cycle -- that’s a lot of money and banning direct contributions from PACs is just one way we can limit the outsized influence corporations and special interests have had on our elections. Ultimately, we need to support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United Decision, and bring greater transparency to election spending. I believe that meaningful campaign finance reform must include an end to dark money, stricter disclosure regulations, and greater transparency in campaign finance. As Americans, we have the right to know to whom our politicians are beholden. It’s past time that we turn a new page in our politics. We’ve seen what happens when demagogues like Donald Trump leverage fear and distrust of the political process to come to power. This is about restoring trust in our democracy and I’m proud to be running a campaign powered entirely by people--not PACs. Quality, Affordable Healthcare for All The lack of affordability and access to healthcare has been one of the greatest barriers to opportunity in America. This issue has gone unresolved for too long. We made incredible progress when President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law: insurance companies can no longer deny Americans with preexisting conditions healthcare, young Americans can stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26, there is no cap on insurance coverage anymore, and insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women. But there’s still so much more we can do. Every American deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare, so it’s time that we finish the job. Quality and affordable healthcare is a key component to building a 21st century economy that is innovative, entrepreneurial and gives everyone a fair shot. How many startups or small businesses have not been started because someone was afraid to lose their healthcare? A strong, accessible healthcare system for all means a vibrant, growing economy and greater job creation. I believe that the best way to build on our progress is to move forward with a single payer system of healthcare - this is the best and most cost efficient measure we can take to deliver quality and affordable healthcare to everyone while maintaining choice and competition. That’s why I am proud to support Medicare for All. People shouldn't have to choose between their financial security and life-saving drugs. Congress must stand up for patients and take concrete steps to put an end to the predatory pricing of pharmaceuticals and price gouging tactics that put lives at risk. In Congress, I would proudly support legislation like the Improving Access to Affordable Prescription Drugs Act. This legislation would offer real solutions and help put patients before profits Life can change in an instant—no one deserves to go bankrupt because of a medical emergency. I will fight to ensure everyone has access to healthcare that is high quality and low cost. Expanding Opportunity & Creating a 21st Century Economy Unfortunately, too many families today are locked out from the same opportunities that my parents had growing up. I saw it as a reporter and I saw it during my time at the Knight Foundation—more and more families are working twice as hard for less. And if we don’t address this challenge now, it likely will get much worse soon. We need to get smart about a rapidly changing economic landscape—it’s past time that we prepare our workforce for a 21st century economy. That’s why the work I started and led at Knight Foundation centered around investing in people--uplifting our entire community by creating an ecosystem of resources so entrepreneurs, social activists and community leaders could build the ideas and solve the problems most important to them. I led the effort that sparked innovation and entrepreneurship across our community by empowering and investing in people. Whether it was bringing Endeavor[LINK] to Miami, launching The IDEA Center at Miami College[LINK], opening The LAB Miami or helping start eMerge Americas and Black Tech Week[LINK]--we made a difference by giving people the tools and resources they needed to live their dreams. Over the course of nearly six years at Knight Foundation I made more than 200 grants totaling more than $28 million to build Miami’s startup and entrepreneurial community. This was a bet on people. And because we put our faith in people, and invested in people, we were able to bring thousands of jobs to Miami and change thousands of lives. We can do more to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in our economy. I’ve never once doubted the ingenuity of the American people, and I know that if hard working Americans have access to resources like high speed internet, if we remove antiquated regulations on small businesses, if we connect aspiring entrepreneurs to the resources they need—then American ingenuity and spirit will take care of the rest. I want Congress to pass tax reform that will streamline regulations for small businesses, individuals, credit unions and small banks. We should pass tax cuts for middle class families and make sure big corporations and the wealthiest 1% are paying their fair share of taxes—we know that America is strongest when its middle class is in good shape and we also know that trickle-down economics doesn’t benefit anyone but the wealthiest among us, so let’s take bold action to put people—not special interests—first. Comprehensive Immigration Reform Can’t Wait Now is the time we must decide who we are as a country: do we welcome immigrants with open arms, or do we turn away or break up the families that contribute so greatly to America? Yes, we need to have clear rules. But I believe that we are a nation that welcomes immigrants. That’s why I believe that it’s time to abolish ICE. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has only existed since 2003 -- it’s a relatively new agency which is absorbing federal resources in order to break up families and terrorize communities across the U.S. I believe we are a stronger country when we embrace the diversity that made America great in the first place. It’s time we live up to our values, and abolishing ICE should be just one part of the comprehensive immigration reform that we desperately need. It is long overdue that our government offer the millions of families living in the shadows a fair pathway to full citizenship—anything less flies in the face of common sense and human decency – and it is long overdue that we offer a permanent solution to Dreamers, to TPS recipients, and to their families. The time for temporary fixes has passed, in the face of the Trump Administration’s cruel policies, we must act to protect the lives and livelihoods of our immigrant neighbors. This will mean safer communities here at home and will serve as a significant boost to our national economy. Consider that between 2014 and 2016, communities like Miami with a higher rate of immigrants accounted for two-thirds of the new jobs created across the U.S. No more broken families: any comprehensive immigration reform must keep families together. That means an end to the current “zero tolerance” policy that’s leading to family separations at the border. Trump’s executive order ends separations in name – but doesn’t provide a pathway to reunite families or an end to the policies that resulted in family separations in the first place. Furthermore, it leaves the door open to family detention. Immigration enforcement should focus its resources on detaining and deporting only those who pose a violent threat to our communities. Family detentions must be brought to an end and all private detention centers must be shut down. America has always been a beacon of hope for millions around the world—an opportunity to work hard and offer your children a brighter future. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will recognize the value immigrants offer our country and protect the hardworking families who contribute so greatly to the fabric of our communities. Let’s reject the politics of fear and extend the American dream to more—not fewer—families. Climate Change and the Economy of the Future Donald Trump and Republican leadership’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge climate change costs our state precious time and resources. We can’t afford another day of Donald Trump’s anti-science agenda. Climate change and sea level rise present a unique challenge to us in South Florida, but it is also our great opportunity. With smart reforms and a belief in entrepreneurship and human ingenuity, we can not only safeguard our environment and make our communities more resilient, but also expand opportunity and grow jobs. This is why I am calling for a South Florida moonshot in which we become the first community in the country to be powered entirely by renewable energy. South Florida should be the leader in entrepreneurship and the newest innovations when it comes to renewable energy. At Knight Foundation I launched an initiative that has sparked entrepreneurship and increased opportunity across South Florida. That work continues. But now it’s time to channel this entrepreneurial zeal and focus on addressing sea level rise, and we can. In Congress, I will impart the urgency of the climate crisis to every single one of my colleagues and work to make real strides in moving federal environmental policy towards a clean energy economy. By embracing forward-thinking energy policies, we can save our planet and create jobs and opportunities for our entire community. It is well past time that our nation take decisive action on climate. Climate change is the greatest threat currently facing future generations, and here in Miami, we are already witnessing the impact of rising seas and more powerful extreme weather events. South Florida must take the lead on dealing with climate change. I believe that by driving innovation and entrepreneurship, we can expand opportunity across our community while also mitigating the impact of rising sea levels and climate change. We won’t be able to spend our way out of this crisis, but we may be able to innovate our way into finding a solution. This includes both supporting entrepreneurs and being open to new ideas, but also embracing competition and open markets. We must end monopolies that stifle innovation and limit choice for consumers, and instead engage in smart deregulation that allows new thinking to be tested and scaled. It is time for our South Florida community to take the lead in building climate resilience and cutting dangerous carbon pollution as soon as possible. As daunting as the prospect of climate change may seem, these challenges are not insurmountable. I want South Florida to dream big and embrace the possibilities. By upgrading our infrastructure to mitigate the impact of a changing climate and by investing in clean, sustainable energy, we can unlock real opportunity for our community and drive economic growth by creating a new clean energy economy. Solutions will fall into two categories: 1. Adaptability -- short term solutions like raising roads and installing water pumps -- 2. Mitigation, where we tackle the long term challenge of transitioning to a clean energy economy. Florida will need forward-thinking leaders if it hopes to tackle climate change head on and make up for lost time. The opportunity is front of us. But the clock is ticking. Investing in Education Every child deserves access to a quality education that will help him or her realize the full measure of his or her potential. That starts by making universal pre-k a reality. Investment in early childhood development will be critical if we want every child to have a strong start and be able to learn on a level playing field. Strong public schools have always been the cornerstone of the American Dream. I was lucky enough to have attended great public schools my entire life—not every child in America is so lucky, but we can change that. We need to start paying our teachers what they’re worth—a great teacher can make a huge difference in a child’s life and, their compensation should reflect that if we want to recruit the best and brightest for our children. We should support efforts by school districts to incorporate curriculums that will prepare our children for a 21st century economy—like computer science and coding instruction—and work to end high stakes testing that only benefits the for-profit education industry. And we must ensure the facilities our children are learning in are in good shape and equipped to meet the needs of students. Today, more and more Americans find themselves in need of an advanced degree. We need to come to grips with the rising cost of college and ensure that every student who is willing to study hard has access to an affordable, high-quality education. This era of massive student debt that limits opportunity and quashes way too many dreams must end. I believe we can make tuition at community colleges and public universities free. From there, every student should be able to go as far as their talents and work ethic can take them. And while higher education is an important path that every American should have available to them, we must do our utmost to expand trade schools that will offer Americans -- from every walk of life and every stage in life --skill sets to prepare them for entry into the modern workforce. In a rapidly changing world, it will be critical that we empower every American to be able to learn new skills for the 21st century economy in a reasonable amount of time, and at low cost. A good education is an investment in our future. If we’re serious about offering every kid in America a first-rate education, then we need to get serious about investing in education. Doing Right by Seniors Donald Trump wants to starve government and forced cuts to earned benefits that Americans have worked their entire lives for. I will always fight for our seniors, and Social Security and Medicare are both promises that I will never break. But beyond that, we must pass new laws that implement responsible regulations on the nursing homes with whom we entrust the care of our loved ones—the fraud, abuse, and neglect that is so commonplace in the nursing home industry is unacceptable; it is time that we do right by our seniors. That means bringing greater transparency and accountability to an industry that impacts so many of us. Increasingly, we are finding that at-home caretakers are able to offer better long-term care options at a higher quality of life. We should support these options and help set industry-wide standards that ensure a consistent quality of care for our loved ones. Finally, as we battle discrimination in the workplace, it is critical that we recognize ageism and strengthen the laws already on the books that outlaw discrimination. We all deserve a fair shot at providing a decent life for our families—no matter one’s age. Smart Solutions to End Traffic and Create Opportunity There is a direct correlation between access to public transportation and economic opportunity.We must ensure that all residents have access to the transportation services they need—especially our seniors, people facing economic challenges and people with disabilities. People need a variety of ways to get around: supporting public transportation, additional investments in infrastructure, and embracing shared economy technologies will reduce congestion and ensure everyone is able to move around our community with ease and efficiency. In solving South Florida’s mobility challenges we must keep an open mind. Transportation is a rapidly changing sector of our community. South Florida needs to be adaptable and open to new and more efficient transportation options as they emerge. We should be at the forefront of implementing smart, comprehensive transportation strategies. We can—and should—use the latest technology to ensure smart, efficient public transit that will keep our community moving—whether that’s traffic signal prioritization, express route pilot programs, or an entirely new technology. Ultimately, collaboration between all levels of government will be necessary if we hope to address traffic and mobility in a real way. Standing up for Women’s Rights In Congress, I will stand firm against any attempts to limit a woman’s right to choose or restrict access to safe and affordable healthcare for women. I will be a strong advocate of equal pay for equal work, paid family leave, universal pre-k and fight my hardest to ensure women and girls in America are afforded exactly the same opportunities as anyone else. That’s why at the Knight Foundation, I worked hard to promote programs like Girls Who Code and Babson’s Women Innovating Now LAB that support women entrepreneurs here in Miami. After Donald Trump’s election, I was proud to participate in the Women’s March with my wife, Danet. Since then, we have also seen a surge of activism led by the courageous women who sparked the #MeToo movement. As your representative, I will work hard to combat sexual harassment and assault and proudly support legislation like the ME TOO Congress Act to bring real enforcement and accountability to Congress and address this issue with concrete action. In Congress, I will take firm steps to fight for women’s rights and build on the progress we’ve made because we can’t afford to turn the clock on women’s rights. Our nation is only at its best when we are realizing the full potential of every citizen. When women and girls succeed, we all do. Fighting for LGBT Rights In Congress, I will be a forceful advocate for the LGBTQ Community. I will not rest until LGBTQ Americans enjoy full federal equality and work hard to pass the Equality Act. There are communities across the country, including here in Florida, that have not outlawed housing or employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. This must stop, now. I will fight to put an end to the harmful practice of “conversion therapy” for minors, and work to implement policies that address bullying and harassment in our schools, and work hard to curb homelessness among LGBTQ youth. I will honor and support LGBTQ servicemembers, and work to ensure that LGBTQ veterans are receiving equal the recognition and quality of care they deserve. Strengthening Labor and Workers’ Rights Collective bargaining has been instrumental towards ensuring a fair wage, safe working conditions and protecting workers from exploitation. In recent years, we’ve seen near-constant partisan attacks meant to undermine organized labor. I will always fight to protect workers rights and strengthen the labor movement. I am fully committed to fighting for a living wage of at least $15 an hour. I firmly believe that the minimum wage must be a living wage. I will stand firm against any attempts to exploit workers and work hard to strengthen overtime rules. I will promote fair trade practices that ensure we are creating good-paying jobs for American workers. I will oppose any trade deals that undermine American workers, threaten our environment or our national security. I'm committed to fighting for an economy that grows the middle class and gives every American a fair shot at success. When Donald Trump seeks to weaken labor rights, I will fight back to put working people first. A Fair Criminal Justice System Every year, the U.S. government spends billions of dollars to imprison millions of individuals, many convicted only of low-level drug and immigration related offenses. I intend to fight for those individuals’ constitutional right to liberty in Congress by supporting the eradication of the private prison industrial complex, by promoting of sentencing, bail, and juvenile justice reform, and by pushing for programs which assist those leaving prison in their efforts to re-integrate into their communities and to live happy, healthy, and productive lives as free men and women. I also stand in strong support of restoring voting rights after a person who made mistakes but has served their time and paid their debt to society. This fall I will vote yes in Florida on the Voter Restoration Amendment, which will automatically restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences, completed parole or probation and paid restitution. I stand for the belief that the doors of opportunity should be thrown equally wide for all Americans and that Congress must take swift action to remedy the damage to lives and to opportunity done by our criminal justice system. |
” |
| —Matt Haggman’s campaign website (2018)[3] | ||
See also
- United States House of Representatives
- Florida's 27th Congressional District election, 2018
- Florida's 27th Congressional District
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Matt Haggman for Congress, "Meet Matt," accessed June 20, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Matt Haggman for Congress, “Issues,” accessed August 24, 2018
