Welcome, Randy Bryce.

Let me start this by saying that I fully support Randy Bryce and his campaign to run for Paul Ryan’s seat in the House of Representatives. I do not think Bryce running for Congress, however, is anything extraordinary.

Since Randy Bryce announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives in June, all outlets have played to the novelty of the campaign or the unlikelihood of such a run. Today, The Hill ran an article that underscored the shock value of someone with Bryce’s background.

This narrative has got to stop. “It’s not like I discovered electricity or invented the internet,” Bryce said.

It’s true. There are a multitude of Democratic (and Republican, for that matter) voices that are dying to be heard. However, many lack the necessary resources, name recognition, or political capital to stage such a run for office. Bryce is just doing what many wish to do, and that is to run to represent their community’s interests.

Randy Bryce has been doing this for the past few cycles. Despite his “underdog” approach to politics by taking on familiar names, Bryce does have a history of running. In 2012, he ran for Wisconsin’s District 62 seat, but lost in the primary to Melissa Lemke. In 2014, he ran for Wisconsin’s District 21 seat. After running unopposed in that year’s Democratic primary, Randy Bryce lost to Republican Van Wanggaard in the general.

In essence, he isn’t a newcomer to politics. Taking Paul Ryan’s seat, however, would create shockwaves. Randy Bryce’s “Iron Stache,” as he is called on Twitter, would stick out from the crowd of cookie-cutter Washington politicians.

“I don’t need a law degree. I don’t need a doctorate. I have ears to listen,” clarified Bryce.

This should not have to be said. In a system where the House of Representatives is supposed to be “The People’s House,” one can quickly see the underlying structures at play. “The People’s House” is only for “some people,” not all.

In order for the idea of a political structure — or much less, a political party — to progress, perhaps it is time to create a party whose sole mission is to get to the roots of democracy, or the voices of the people.
Let’s fund races not with the intent of solely winning, but of getting a variety of voices heard and heads to the table.
Let there be more Randy Bryce types out there. The Republican Party needs them. The Democratic Party needs them. America needs them.

Soon, it will not just be novelty.