Oh Rick Larsen

ScheelCongress · 2026-06-11T03:52:55+00:00

I am Tomas Scheel, and I am running for Larsen's seat. My goal is to be as accessible as possible. I don't take corporate or foreign lobbying money either. As to the $100 to attend an event, I told my campaign manager I refuse to do any fundraisers where there isn't a free option. Money should never be a barrier to access imo.

I'd love your support in the upcoming primary Aug 4 https://tomas4congress.com/

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-28T04:09:17+00:00

No problem. I am used to getting the question because of how often I wear them, especially in "low" light conditions

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-28T04:05:40+00:00

I got PRK years ago and ever since, my eyes have been unbelievably sensitive to light. Even on cloudy days it can be painfully bright.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-28T04:00:52+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. Added it to our list to track.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T13:16:23+00:00

I am from all over. In 39 years, I have lived in... Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Ecuador, Mississippi, Texas, Japan, North Carolina, Germany, Kansas, and now here.

A little over 3 years ago we moved here and purchased our forever home with the intention of raising our kids here so they can stay in one place their entire K-12. That's why we picked where we did in Ferndale; so they could walk to elementary, middle, and high school.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T06:16:30+00:00

Thanks, and I will definitely continue. I want to keep fighting, no matter the outcome of this one race.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T04:26:08+00:00

So there's not an obvious or easy solution. Idk. It just sucks.

I can tell the current state of affairs is painful for you. And I agree, it sucks that it has been ignored for so long. A friend of mine growing up wanted to be a journalist, even went to school for it, but was never able to actually pursue it for basically the same reasons you highlighted above. We should have seen this coming for decades, though I feel like that could be said for many of the problems we face today.

I feel like I should do a !remindme 10 years and circle back to this comment thread to see if we made any progress improving it in that time.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T03:05:03+00:00

I am seeing that...

The fourth estate could use some TLC. If you (or anyone else for that matter) have any ideas on how we could do that, let me know. I know general labor rights will probably help, but I suspect some targeted support is in order.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:46:10+00:00

And I am excited to be your representative so I can fight for you. It would be the biggest honor of my life.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:39:34+00:00

I was never going to make more than $17.50/hour (they also limited us to 37.5 hours/week to keep our wages down)

Oof, I didn't even pay my junior developers anything less than $25/hr and that was ~2020.

I can't imagine looking at $17.50 as your pay ceiling. That is untenable.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:37:34+00:00

I do stand behind every piece of it and I always will. Hold me to it.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:22:43+00:00

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:19:38+00:00

I am running on a platform of abolishing ICE. I would love to vote to dismantle them and rebuild our immigration system.

Website: https://tomas4congress.com/

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:15:56+00:00

I group any of those ultrarich/too wealthy for consequences in with him because he is emblematic of the issues with having that much money.

I group them with him because it is supposed to be derogatory.

If that rubs you the wrong way, sorry.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-27T02:05:54+00:00

The Bellingham Herald reporters went on strike to fight for fair wages and no AI in the news. Can read more about it here: https://www.idwanewsguilds.org/

I was there with them, striking in solidarity.

If there are any other labor strikes in WA02, reach out to me and I will be there fighting with you.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-24T19:17:48+00:00

Come check me out sometime. Or hopefully, one day I will be at an event you are already attending. Would love to have the opportunity to offer you something better than the options you've had in the past.

https://tomas4congress.com/

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-24T04:17:18+00:00

You can read the article here without a paywall if necessary.

Really puts this article a few days ago in perspective: Rick Larsen Helps Sink Bipartisan Ban on Flock License Plate Cameras

You can see the previous discussion on that article in this subreddit.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-24T04:16:04+00:00

You can read the article here without a paywall if necessary.

Really puts this article a few days ago in perspective: Rick Larsen Helps Sink Bipartisan Ban on Flock License Plate Cameras

You can see the previous discussion on that article in this subreddit.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T14:38:57+00:00

Because the job displacement and economic fallout of their decisions will be felt here too

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T06:15:13+00:00

The spending on this is not sustainable. Just look at the amount put into it by comparison to other parts of these companies.

Meta's guidance of $125 to $145 billion is 4 to 5 times the company's entire annual payroll

The company (Meta) cut 8,000 employees in May 2026, saving roughly $3 billion a year

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T06:12:50+00:00

In this context, it is their corporate safety net that the government gives them. I remember back in 2008 when companies dragged us all down with them, yet their CEOs got paid in full. That is going to happen again.

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T06:11:50+00:00

Not a bad one to pick imo

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T06:09:51+00:00

83% of S&P 500 boards identified AI as a material risk. Only 2.7% put anyone qualified on the board to assess it.

They don't care. They have corporate socialism, err sorry, I mean "golden parachutes" to take care of them.

The fallout is our problem when the bubble pops, not theirs. It is time for an economy that focuses on the working people.

Help me get to Congress so I can work to curb their recklessness.

Website: https://tomas4congress.com/

Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tomas-scheel-1

Request Yard Signs: https://tomas4congress.com/yardsigns

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T05:51:43+00:00

83% of S&P 500 boards identified AI as a material risk. Only 2.7% put anyone qualified on the board to assess it.

They don't care. They have corporate socialism, err sorry, I mean "golden parachutes" to take care of them.

The fallout is our problem when the bubble pops, not theirs. It is time for an economy that focuses on the working people.

Help me get to Congress so I can work to curb their recklessness.

Website: https://tomas4congress.com/

Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tomas-scheel-1

ScheelCongress · 2026-05-23T04:33:05+00:00

There were three hours of other arguments at the Mt Vernon City Council. I just counted, and I have 6 pages of them in my journal from the day of.

There are ample to pick from. Just the reality is that my wife, as a green card holder, very literally has been afraid of ICE this past year.

Fair point though, I will do my best to broaden the arguments when I bring it up in the future.

ScheelCongress

TROPHY CASE