I first encountered Tommy Crangle during the 2010 U.S. Congressional election primary for a vacant seat. Knowing none of the candidates, I called and/or emailed each. Tommy was the only responder, calling back within a day to set a breakfast meeting at Lynn's Market two days later. The morning he spent talking with me (and intermittently a dozen others) about his background and issues impressed me with his knowledge, logic, values, and courage.
Retrospectively, that encounter embodied the essence of our representative government. Rather than filtering his calls for names with influence and/or money to serve his needs, Tommy wanted to understand all his constituents' needs in order to effectively represent them.
Most candidates espouse personal values they perceive shared by the voters, but without deep knowledge, sharp thinking, independence from and courage to buck the establishment when needed, those values will not translate into effective action as our representative.
Sadly, our current governments are infested by 'representatives' catering to the few who can help enrich them personally, now and/or later, or fund the next election. This powerful feedback cycle misdirects our government from a government of the people to a government for the rich and powerful - incumbents included. The tendency of people in government to first guarantee their own well-being has been persistent throughout history. The founders of our country and state, by adopting independent government branches, did so to curtail this unhealthy tendency. Tommy will effectively fight to keep/restore true representative constitutional government.
Douglas Mashburn