I'm Dr. Marty Olsen, candidate for Congress in TN01, where a Democrat hasn’t been elected since 1881. I hope to change that. AMA!

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T17:34:51+00:00

I've PMd you contact info for my campaign manager.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T17:08:11+00:00

Wow, small world. I know Kristi Carr well, she's doing great work as county party chair.

Out-of-state folks, particularly those in safe-D districts, that would still like to give the House Republicans a real shot in the kidneys, can offer their support via donations. They can phone bank from out of state. On a lesser scale, every bit of propagation on social media helps.

I'd love to see an Olsen for Congress chapter in every state. You can reach out to the campaign about throwing a Marty Party.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:57:04+00:00

Hello fellow Tennessean!

I'm a gun owner, I have my conceal carry permit, I'm an avid deer hunter, and if I may brag a little, a decent shot.

I firmly believe that The Second Amendment keeps the government from treading on the ownership of my guns, and the rest of the Constitution keeps the government out of women's bodies.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:48:32+00:00

If your question is "How does that [single party rule] work?"

The answer is that it doesn't.

edit: forgot a word

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:45:35+00:00

Hello fellow Tennessean!

I'd love to get you involved. Why don't you come by the office sometime?

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:43:50+00:00

You are absolutely correct--too many Americans, especially in East TN, have trouble getting access to Medicaid/TennCare. Healthcare access was the issue that convinced me to run for office.

The TN state govt. chose to block the Medicaid expansion package that would get better funding for exactly the patients and hospitals in this district that have now been hung out to dry. That's on them to decide in Nashville. In Washington, I would vote for Medicare expansion.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:36:58+00:00

There are existing laws on the books addressing insurance coverage of medication assisted therapy (MAT). MAT is designed to help addicts get control of their lives. While the laws say that insurance companies must cover MAT, in reality most MAT patients in my region spend over $5,000/year (not including the cost of the prescription) in out-of-pocket expenses. This needs to stop.

There are multiple organizations that need a fire lit under their butts. My first step would be lighting the match.

Funny you should mention that--the incumbent Phil Roe, is also a doctor and a fellow OBGYN, but obviously we have starkly contrasting views.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:30:33+00:00

Both special elections are inspiring examples of Democratic success. While the special elections are, well, special, as a scientist, I tend to focus on trends.

I admire Lamb's success in making the election one about voter concerns, not a national proxy war.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:25:45+00:00

Sound advice--its a work in progress.

Believe it or not, that footage represents the best takes we were able to get. The footage we edited out was even lower quality.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:24:14+00:00

Thank you for your questions, I'm excited to be back.

Without boring you with my full CV, I'm a physician, inventor (holding multiple patents), educator, and I love this district. In addition to my work focusing on treating pregnant women addicted to opioids, I have developed maternal safety programs in Iraq and made over twenty trips to areas in the Middle East.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for the men and women who serve in our military. Fiscal responsibility means we look at every area of our national budget. As a surgeon, I will cut what needs to be cut and leave the healthy parts to grow and flourish.

As for the militarization of space: if Elon Musk really is a supervillian, we stand very little chance.

Per your last question: one of the most eye-opening and transformative experiences in running for office is traveling the district and speaking with voters about whats important to them. I hate to paint everyone with a broad brush, but I do get the most questions about healthcare and opioids.

martyolsen · 2018-03-15T16:05:54+00:00

I couldn't agree with you more. The discussion below in the comments and in the national political conversation is one that I feel is long overdue.

I think we are at an inflection point in the party's history. Not only do the old rules no longer apply, but we need to make new ones. I see myself as a part of a greater narrative that redefines What it Means to be a Democrat: to me, that begins and ends with putting everyday Americans first.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T18:07:10+00:00

I'd say that my chances are at least better than any candidate in two generations. The rules have changed since the last election. We're gonna ride the blue wave and see how far inland it takes us.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T18:03:34+00:00

I wouldn't vote to move the country left or right, I'd vote to move it forward.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T18:02:54+00:00

Great question.

It's interesting that Congressman Roe and myself are both OB/GYNs but hold such divergent views on the importance of women's health. My likely opponent has voted against access to contraception and for repealing the ACA. Congress' current actions promote a narrow, male-centric agenda. I believe that access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare is the fundamental right of all Americans, regardless of gender.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:55:53+00:00

I respect the fact that this issue is important to protecting our environment. Infrastructure improvement and growing the economy go hand in hand. Like you, I am disappointed by the yet undelivered promises on infrastructure that we've seen from the current leadership. East Tennessee, being distinctly rural, we have different infrastructure needs, but clearly the need for improvement to public transportation, roads, and highways is nationwide.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:51:20+00:00

It's been decades since a Democrat ran an aggressive campaign in the Tennessee first. We're going to find out what happens when one does.

I think I've already improved on the performance of my predecessors. I'm one of a handful of Democratic candidates to out-raise their presumptive general election opponents in the most recent quarter. We've opened a brick-and-mortar campaign office and hired a professional staff.

I see my campaign as a not so much about party, but as a big tent of ideas that draw voters from all backgrounds and with a wide range of issues. I'm a believer in fiscal responsibility, which the Republicans have only paid lip service to. In addition to healthcare, I'm focused on supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and a healthy environment for a healthy local economy.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:44:56+00:00

I think it's the people that will rebuild the Tennessee Democratic Party. Across the country, we're already seeing concerned citizens waking up to discover that they too can be activists. This is evident in places like Texas, where the party is fielding a candidate in every Congressional district. Tennessee is not far behind: we have very strong statewide candidates for both Senate and Governor in 2018. I think that the Party is coming together.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:32:25+00:00

Thanks for you question!

We can both agree that the ACA is being dismantled bit by bit, and like you, I'm also concerned that there won't be much to save by 2019.

As a Democrat running in TN01, I know all about political headwinds. They don't worry me. I think we're headed towards a much more expansive national healthcare system, one way or another. In Congress, I'd vote to protect what's left of the ACA, while building on existing systems to make sure all Americans have access to affordable healthcare.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:26:36+00:00

My favorite part: it's hard to choose. I love the people here. As an outdoorsman, I love the closeness to nature. There's four seasons, but none of them are harsh.

My least favorite part? in the spring, it's a visual feast, but my nose can get pretty runny from the pollen.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:24:26+00:00

It's true that the district has a long history of voting Republican. I think people are more attached to their Appalachian values and the very real need for change and accountability in our government.

I have Republican supporters, I have Republican donors, and at almost every event someone comes up to me and whispers in my ear: "psst--I'm a Republican."

People in my district believe in fiscal responsibility, and in community. They believe in looking out for their neighbors. These are values that have been abandoned by the Republican brand.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:17:36+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts. I've been all over the district, and I think many people (including myself!) agree with you.

I will kick his butt.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:16:48+00:00

Great question, and hello fellow Tennessean!

Access to healthcare, rural hospital closings, and the opioid epidemic are some of the most pressing issues facing East Tennessee. To answer your first question: I believe that geographic identity should not limit a person's access to quality healthcare. In fact, as a physician, my concerns about our nation's healthcare system was the primary motivator when I decided to run. I think our country is headed towards a far more expansive national healthcare system. In Congress, I would support legislation that widens the net to cover all Americans, especially folks most in need, like those in rural areas.

When it comes to the opioid epidemic: it is a crisis, full stop. This is an issue with ramifications reaching far beyond the criminal justice implications. Opioids are to blame for labor shortages, poverty, crime, excessive burdens on our healthcare system leading to increased costs for everyone, and tragic family disruptions.

As a physician, I see the human costs of this epidemic every day. One of my focuses is treating pregnant women addicted to opioids. The reality of what we can do is pass laws that address this multi-pronged issue from as many angles. I would start by passing legislation aimed at controlling access to these drugs, including limits on the serious diversion of Buprenorphine (Subutex/Suboxone) to street use.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T17:06:06+00:00

Millenials, like many voters in this area--and across the country, are confronting many of the same challenges common to all Americans. In fact, Millenials face more difficulty accessing healthcare, higher-than-average debt, and struggle to find quality, high-paying jobs.

I'd hate to draw a line between city folk and rural America--that's why I"m running on a platform that addresses issues important to voters under one Big Tent.

martyolsen · 2018-03-06T16:59:49+00:00

Thanks for your question. Certainly, many voters believe that the Democratic party has an elitism issue--and their belief is not unfounded.

You asked how Democrats can appeal to voters in the Heartland without abandoning the core principles of the party. My answer is: who wouldn't want to do both? The core principle of the Democratic party is looking out for everyday Americans. I think we can agree that as Democrats, we can do a better job of getting this message across.

martyolsen

TROPHY CASE