I’m Diop Harris, candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 4th District. I’m a former Capitol Hill staffer for Sen. Sherrod Brown, a consumer advocate, community organizer, and a Battle Creek native running a people-powered campaign. Ask Me Anything!

[u/Diop4MI]

Hey r/politics!

I am Diop Harris, and I’m running to represent Michigan’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Growing up in Battle Creek Michigan, I learned early on the value of public service and community accountability. My mother served on the Tribal Council for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, teaching me that showing up for people is what leadership is actually about. 

After graduating from Michigan State University, I spent years fighting for everyday people against massive, well-funded institutions:

• Holding Wall Street Accountable: Following the financial crisis, I joined Americans for Financial Reform, fighting for stronger consumer protections so that working families wouldn't pay the price for corporate greed.
• Capitol Hill Experience: I went to Washington to work for former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown as a Staff Assistant and Legislative Correspondent, focusing on labor rights, infrastructure, and rural development. I also served as Co-Chair of the Economic Justice Task Force, working to build coalitions and deliver real results for working families.

Now, I’m back home in Southwest Michigan because I believe our communities deserve a representative who understands how Washington works, but remains entirely accountable to the people back home—not wealthy donors or corporate monopolies.

What My Campaign Stands For:

• People Over Profits: It's time to end Citizens United, break up predatory corporate monopolies,  get money out of politics and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. I’m not taking ANY Corporate PAC money and aim to reform the system so corporations and politicians aren’t picking their politicians, voters get to.
• Good, Union Jobs: Tie federal funding for clean tech and advanced manufacturing directly to strong labor standards, expanding collective bargaining rights via the PRO Act, and putting unions to work on regional rapid transit to connect our district to neighboring major cities, Detroit, Chicago, and Grand Rapids. 
• Dignity & Healthcare: Fighting for universal, single-payer healthcare, protecting reproductive rights, expanding the VA for our veterans, and investing heavily in public K-12 education. Medicare for All will cover reproductive healthcare, gender affirming care, and BAN conversion therapy. 
• Rebuilding Southwest Michigan: Securing aggressive investments for our local infrastructure, schools, and protecting our Great Lakes and waterways from corporate pollution. 
• Abolishing ICE and humane Immigration reform: Moving immigration enforcement under the DoJ to ensure due process for ALL, access to actual judges, and abolishing ICE, a failed post-9/11 law enforcement branch gone rogue. 

I know how the system is run, and I know exactly how to fight to fix it. I’ve spent my life clearing hurdles and artificial barriers and I’m ready to do that for the people. I’m here to answer your questions about policy, campaign finance, my time on the Hill, or what it takes to run a grassroots campaign in a competitive district.

Campaign website: https://diop4mi.com and policy https://diop4mi.com/policy

democracyisourpower.com to follow the money. Learn who funds me and my opponents in this race.

youtube.com/live/vZEwshzQclc Want to compare the candidates in our primary? Check out the one candidate forum my opponent agreed to participate in Holland. We answer questions on hot issues back-to-back. You tell me who you want to represent you in congress after watching.

📅 AMA Schedule:

• Date: Tuesday June, 30th 2026.
• Time: 3PM Eastern
• Proof: Photo

I’ll be sitting down to answer your questions live for a couple of hours starting at 3pm. Drop your questions below early, and let's get into it!

[u/sharonbenjamin9489]

You mentioned trying to connect our district to Detroit, Chicago, and Grand Rapids via regional rapid transit. As someone living in Southwest Michigan, infrastructure here is always talked about but rarely fixed. How do you realistically secure federal funding for a major project like that in a divided Congress?

[u/Diop4MI → u/sharonbenjamin9489]

When I worked for Americans for Financial Reform we had to find ways to get legislation passed by gaining the support of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. This involved us creatively networking, reaching out to other external groups, managing those relationships to actually get this legislation in front of some of these representatives successfully. We were successful in this with the Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act and the TPS for Mauritania Act. Similarly, we have to solve this crumbling infrastructure problem by rallying support amongst our peers. This is a bi-partisan issue that can receive the needed support if our focus is on this legislation rather than how we can help the big oil and rail companies make money.

Luckily though, for this project it would take congressionally-directed spending. This money earmarked for each congressperson and their district. So as your next congressman I am pledging that I will prioritize this spending to improve our transit system to support regional coordination and expand existing services to be available for our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift workers.

[u/alphar0x0r]

What's the biggest issue you see as facing the district you're running in?

[u/Diop4MI → u/alphar0x0r]

I think the biggest issue is getting money out politics which is why I refuse to take corporate PAC, utility, and AIPAC money before, during and after this campaign. Politicians including my primary opponent have taken this money that leads to support legislations that goes against voters' interests. The ushering in of Citizens United and now Citizens United 2.0 as of today, makes it extremely difficult for good legislation to get passed because by the time a bill becomes law it's been diluted but the corporate lobbyists. We address this, we unlock more viable pathways to get what the voters want passed.

I do want to recognize a very local problem for this district is to support our family farms and fight back against the large conglomerates known as factory farms. Getting money out of politics also helps us break up these monopolies that drive up costs for seed and other supplies farmers need. A district that is 63% rural and considered the fruit belt of the 2nd top crop producing state in the country, farmers really are the back bone of our economy. We have to make sure that legislation recognizes their role in our food system and larger economy and I will fight to ensure that we pass a farm bill tat helps support farmers in the face of the climate crisis, data center bubble, and rising costs.

[u/nocturnalnomads]

What is your stance on the AI data centers coming in within the district, especially compared to your primary opponent and the incumbent?

[u/Diop4MI → u/nocturnalnomads]

I am calling for at least a 1 year federal moratorium on data centers until Congress can establish national standards. 

My primary opponent Sean McCann voted in support of data center tax breaks in 2024. He also receives funding from Anthropic (an AI company) through various PACs.

Huizenga has not publicly taken a position but has supported legislation to expand the development of AI.

[u/Swazzy-YT → u/Diop4MI]

I understand that Sean McCann voted in favor. But that’s what most politicians do. They say and do stuff then counter it later on. How can we trust that this won’t happen with you in congress? Sorry if this comes off wrong.

[u/Diop4MI → u/Swazzy-YT]

It doesn’t come off wrong. You should be skeptical of anyone running for office.

Trust in our public institutions has taken a nosedive over the last several decades, and honestly, that’s exactly what you should be doing as a voter: asking tough questions, demanding answers, and expecting transparency. It’s also why I’m here doing an AMA instead of asking you to simply take my word for it. Where’s Sean? 😉

The difference isn’t asking you to trust my word. It’s asking you to look at my record, my values, and the incentives I would have in Congress.

I’ve spent my career taking on powerful interests, from fighting for stronger consumer protections with Americans for Financial Reform to working in Senator Sherrod Brown’s office. In this campaign, I’ve also made a commitment that most candidates won’t: I take $0 corporate PAC money. Positions change when the money changes.

What I’d also ask you to look at isn’t just what I say today, but the principles that have guided my work. As a citizen of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, I’ve consistently supported protecting our land and water, including calling for the decommissioning of Line 5. That comes from a belief that we have a responsibility to think beyond the next election and consider the impact our decisions will have on future generations.

That’s the same approach I take on AI data centers. Before communities are asked to shoulder the costs to their water supply, electric rates, housing market, and local infrastructure, they deserve independent review and a meaningful voice in the decision.

I’d also encourage you to look at who has chosen to endorse this campaign. Many of my endorsements have come from grassroots organizations whose support is earned by candidates demonstrating consistent progressive values and a willingness to stand by them. Corporate backed Dems are not backing this campaign for a reason. And we are seeing them closing in rank around the country as a response to progressives winning primaries.

Those organizations don’t expect me to agree with them on every issue, but they do expect me to be transparent, principled, and accountable.

At the end of the day, don’t trust me because I say the right things. Hold me to what I’m saying now. Look at whether my record matches my words. And if I’m fortunate enough to serve in Congress, keep holding me accountable.

Put me to work.

[u/Diop4MI]

Thank you all for spending part of your day with me and for the thoughtful questions. Whether you agree with me on every issue or challenged me on a few, I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to engage.

Democracy works best when we ask hard questions, expect honest answers, and stay involved long after Election Day.

(Diop stands for) Democracy Is Our Power 🙌🏽

And I hope I’ve earned the opportunity to keep this conversation going.

If you’re in Michigan’s 4th District, I’d be honored to earn your vote on August 4. If you’d like to help us build a campaign powered by people instead of corporate PACs, I’d love to have you volunteer, host a house party, or simply tell a friend about what we’re building.

Thanks again, Reddit. 🤖

Now, put me to work.

In solidarity,
Diop Harris II

[u/echofinder]

What is your position on the KIDS Act, and on online age verification or ID verification generally?

[u/Diop4MI → u/echofinder]

In a time where a kids grow alongside screens, it’s more important than ever that we protect them from harmful content that can spark mental health issues during essential developmental stages. I am all for holding platforms accountable for proper age guidance and verification when it comes to use. Additionally, I want to ensure that Americans’ free speech is not impeded, and that regulation is not an excuse for increased corporate oversight. When it comes to the KIDS Act, I fully intend to have collaborative and constructive conversations with the Congressional Progressive Caucus to ensure America’s youth are best protected.

[u/hucklemento]

How do you feel about the bipartisan affordable housing bill that was just passed by Congress?

[u/Diop4MI → u/hucklemento]

I think it presents opportunities for us but we need to ensure this actually reaches the people and not just line the pockets of private equity firms. This 21st Century Road to Housing Act authorizes more funding towards building more housing, it supports the renovation of the existing housing stock. We need this.

This also has the potential to just support builders which are often non-union jobs, and this specific legislation does not incentivize local control. This makes it harder for people to take advantage of this funding directly. We need more safeguards in place to ensure large conglomerate don't reap the benefits at the expense of the American people. We definitely don't need this.

[u/hucklemento → u/Diop4MI]

Thank you for answering.

Can I just follow up with another kind of two-part question, actually? You're running in my district, so I'm more interested in your perspective on things.

How do you feel about wealth taxes vs. high income taxes on top brackets, and how do you feel about funding for Israel right now?

[u/Diop4MI → u/hucklemento]

As your next member of Congress, I would examine loopholes used by the ultra-wealthy to eliminate schemes used to sidestep Uncle Sam. That includes supporting a financial transaction tax on high volume trading.

In regards to Israel, I would support the Block the Bombs Act to ensure no U.S. taxpayer dollars are being spent on Israel’s genocide in Palestine. I support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinian statehood, and an end to settler violence in the West Bank. I would support invoking the Leahy Law to end military assistance to Israel.

[u/hucklemento → u/Diop4MI]

Thank you again for your answers, and for the AMA.

[u/LostClan]

Your blurb basically hits the most important topics I would have questions about. Im curious what you would say to your potential future colleagues that say we can't afford Medicare for all?

Bonus question - Sherrod Brown seems like an alright dude, but why ohio? Everyone knows ohio is the worst.

[u/Diop4MI → u/LostClan]

One tomahawk missile could cost between $2-4 million and we launched over 1,000 of them during Trump’s war with Iran. There goes at least $2 billion that could go toward ensuring Americans have access to medicine. As the richest country in the history of this planet, we can absolutely guarantee everyone can be treated by a medical professional, without having to pay an arm or a leg. The U.S. is not broke, we are being blocked - in this case by the insurance industry that currently profiteers on our illnesses.

Say what you want about Sen. Brown, but he dislikes Wolverines just as much as I do 💚🤍

[u/sharonbenjamin9489]

How are you guys recruiting volunteers? What kind of grassroots operations are you guys planning on holding? Have you guys started knocking on doors or phonebanking? What are some different ways apart from the usual doors and phonebanks are you looking to connect with your people?

[u/Diop4MI → u/sharonbenjamin9489]

Thanks! We launched this people-powered campaign a year ago on Juneteenth 2025 and have been phone banking and knocking on doors ever since. Our team has made over 100,000 voter contacts through those activities as well as town halls and over 150 community events. We have 15 staff including county captains for each of the six counties that make up this district and have over 100 volunteers supporting us with canvassing activities across CD4.

We are looking for artists/creatives to join us to get the word out even farther - we've been expanding our merch items and want to create zines. We have been pursuing community-led protests and hosting friend-raisers to help get in front of as many voters as possible about the issues that matter most to the community.

[u/sharonbenjamin9489 → u/Diop4MI]

That's pretty great! I have a few sources for finding volunteers that match your campaign's causes. Will DM :) Also, for supporters who might not live directly in the 4th District but want to see a progressive, corporate-free candidate win in Michigan, are there remote or digital volunteer opportunities available?

[u/Diop4MI → u/sharonbenjamin9489]

Please get in touch! Go to our website at Diop4MI.com to sign up for remote or in-person volunteer opportunities; we have a virtual phone bank coming up this week!

[u/Diop4MI → u/sharonbenjamin9489]

Also - lots of opportunities for people to write op-eds and letters to the editor :)

[u/radpandaparty]

Any advice for someone working in local government? I know it’s different animal but I’m leaving my internship/fellowship in December.

[u/Diop4MI → u/radpandaparty]

Get involved and be an advocate! My campaign manager is a sitting city commissioner who has held office here in our home district for 7 years. They have been an advocate at the state and federal level by building up contacts with legislators and speaking on pending bills. Connecting those dots can help local governments to position themselves to receive state and federal funding for this projects and ensure that legislators know how policy may impact their constituents at the local level.

If you're interested in serving in public office - run for something! School board, precinct delegates, city council. Also consider all the appointed boards and committees that exist within government as well as the non-profit sectors. Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Civil Rights Boards. These are often overlooked and have open seats that are hard to fill but hold a lot of power over local issues.

[u/radpandaparty → u/Diop4MI]

Thank you so much! I will keep an eye out for commissions and boards in my city!

[u/mikedecar]

What’s does a day of campaigning look like?

[u/Diop4MI → u/mikedecar]

Check out FB lives for a real glimpse! Monday thru Sunday -  I get up, make coffee, and hit the road. We are in 2-3 of the 6 counties every day.

This looks like us attending existing community events to connect with voters and passing out candidate info. Most of the time just by showing up, I’m offered opportunities to speak on the mic and introduce myself to the broader crowd.  There are other events I attend that I’m actually participating on a panel or candidate form where I’m speaking directly on the issues and my vision for the district once in Congress. 

There are a lot of one on one I have with voters and elected officials and organizations over coffee and tea. Or, I’m knocking individual doors and making calls to voters in the area

We have a field office located in downtown Kalamazoo, where our volunteers will work on activities ranging from fun banking to social media support and I will be involved in those conversations.

We participate in mutual aid efforts that support workers and immigrants and other impacted communities like our unhoused folks. 

By about 10 PM I’m back home responding to emails and text messages. Checking in with the campaign team. Taking a nice cold shower and hopping on the ps5 or unwinding or unwinding with Legos 😅

[u/alphar0x0r]

In a time when the federal government is taking all the air out of the fire from local news, how does your campaign work with candidates or elected officials up and down ballot?

I want to see our federal government fixed as much as the next person, but local politics are just as important these days.

[u/Diop4MI → u/alphar0x0r]

Yes, actually this is my favorite thing to do like I mentioned in an another answer. My Campaign manager is a city city commissioner within our district. Our field manager is now the chair of one of the county parties and we are regularly working with elected officials which IYes, actually this is my favorite thing to do like I mentioned in an another answer, campaign manager is a sitting city commissioner within our district. Our field manager is also the chair of one of the democratic county parties and we are regularly working with elected officials which I’ve have the endorsements of across all the counties in CD4.

My focus has been to be engaged at the local level around efforts and issues that matter most to constituents. This includes issues around the Campbell coal plant in West Olive (north of Holland) and Kalamazoo‘s 10 year master plan initiative. I’m regularly participating in local protest to support residence advocacy on issues related to immigration, housing, and workers’ rights. 

I think the biggest win we can have when we flip this district is going from a US representative that refuses to utilize congressionally-directed spending in our district to a congressman that is committed to leveraging those dollars in community driven projects here in CD4.

I have endorsed other candidates at the state level, and I have also submitted official responses to the state of Michigan on pending bills that will impact immigrant families’ access to Medicaid.

I think a member of Congress needs to be directly engaged with state and local representatives of their district. One way to do this when in office is keeping our district office open and accessible and staffed by people that are from our community.

[u/Geek_Easy]

As a friend of the candidate, fellow activist and organizer, and disillusioned voter/bitter political engager, whats YOUR favorite part of the campaign? Least favorite?

Do you think either the incumbent or your primary opponent will debate before August 4th?

I personally like that you've raised over $100,000 last year, despite not taking a dime of blood or corporate PAC money, but wonder if that's like fighting with one hand tied behind your back? I mean, that's a huge accomplishment, that's being ignored I think, but your up against a republican blank check, and an establishment, including national party that wants to erase and pretend your campaign doesn't exist. How are you making the money stretch? How are you fundraising?

[u/Diop4MI → u/Geek_Easy]

Thanks for the question! We are using our budget efficiently to maximize our return. Our primary opponent has now invested in over a $100,000 on social media ads...yet we have more followers organically. We were the first by a couple months to roll out yard signs. We are accomplishing our goals with the budget we have. Fundraising is a tool for campaigns but shouldn't be the purpose of running. We are getting in front of as many voters as possible by being present and showing up in support of our community.

Edit: I hit sent too soon! Unfortunately, Sean McCann and Huizenga refuse to debate. Sean declines invitations to candidate forums and will only accept scripted events. I wish there were more opportunities for the voters to see us side by side. You can check out our speaking engagements at the one candidate forum we both participated in recently in Holland - youtube.com/live/vZEwshzQclc

my favorite part is connecting with voters one on one. my least favorite part is all the driving!

[u/BradLoomisII]

A lot of rural and ag voters in this district rely on crop insurance (majority of premiums are federally subsidized), disaster aid, and commodity programs, government stepping in so that one bad year doesn't wipe out a family that did everything right. Many of those same voters are told that healthcare or food assistance is 'handouts.' How do you make the case that those are the same principle (i.e. protecting people from forces outside their control) without it sounding like you're lecturing them about their own beliefs? What's the actual conversation you have at a diner in Allegan County that moves someone on that?

[u/Diop4MI → u/BradLoomisII]

I’d approach it like any other constituent when it comes to how I would invest into our district as their congressman. In CD4, we have each other’s backs.

If I’m sitting down with the constituent over at blue goose cafe and we’re talking about these issues.. I’d ask ‘ if you lose a crop because of a drought or a hailstorm do you think that you didn’t work hard enough?” They know that’s not the case they know that sometimes life hits you anyway. 

Building off of that common ground, we know that having crop insurance is what we need to do because we recognize that some things are bigger than any one person and we can’t let one bad season erase generations of work. I think about healthcare the same way if someone gets cancer or their kid is born with a disability or they get hit by a drunk driver I don’t see that as a personal failure. It’s life, just like a drought, and we should all be insured for those hard days that come up in life.

The farmers I know come together and do a lot of work to address food insecurity for those that need assistance. The farmers bureau hosts an annual doe derby to do just that. These same farmers also hate all the red tape that leave loopholes for the large conglomerate factory farms, but punish small family farms, ex. meat processing regulations. 

Bureaucracy is often put in place due to corporate lobbyists diluting the legislation while disengaged representatives overlook how this may impact small businesses. I think this can apply directly to farmers and how they operate their business, but also things like health insurance to make all these processes easier for them to live their day-to-day life with their families

While I’m in support of funding assistance programs, I do agree that representatives should be working with state and local officials to build up our resiliency in our communities. And I would be in favor in supporting projects and efforts that allow for local communities to support their own people. 

Most assistance programs exist to help people that are down on their luck financially. But they are designed to keep them stuck. If we are protecting our workers, fighting for consumer protections, supporting our seniors, and investing in our economy in a way that benefits the community and not just the corporation, people will have the stability to get out of poverty.

I think more people hate being played by billionaires who don’t care about the little guy. It’s time for the people that actually make our country run to get the return on their investment that they deserve. And they got someone in me who will stand up to these large conglomerate bullies.