John Vincent: Running Against MAGA in Red America

Republicans in South Carolina's 7th Congressional District believe they are in the catbird seat, that they are virtually unbeatable in what they call "Trump Country." It's the same old story in South Carolina politics. But Democrat John Gregory Vincent, a small business owner and retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief, believes he can knock off the MAGA GOP incumbent, Russell Fry in this slice of red America, and has launched a vigorous MAGA challenge campaign to prove it. We welcome John Vincent as our guest In this episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast's special monthly feature, The Dixie Dems in which he talks about challenging Fry and why he believes he can win. It's a race with national implications, because if he can defeat this committed Trumper in a ruby red district in the South, Democrats will have a great chance of winning control of Congress in 2026. Hosted by Arthur Hill, Robert Thompson, and Bob Gatty, the discussion covers John's motivations for running, his campaign pillars focusing on the middle class, veterans, national debt, and actually representing his constituents. They also discuss the challenges of addressing misinformation, the importance of voter engagement, and strategies for effectively messaging to constituents. Tune in for a compelling conversation about bringing much-needed change to a traditionally Republican district. John Vincent for Congress. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:15 John Gregory Vincent's Motivation to Run 02:07 Challenges in the District 02:57 Campaign Strategy and Town Halls 05:30 Campaign Pillars: Middle Class, Veterans, National Debt, Representation 11:22 Constituent Services and Representation 13:32 Fundraising and Special Interests 14:50 Electoral Strategy and Voter Engagement 19:22 Social Security and Government Efficiency 23:04 Combating Market Delays 23:46 The Importance of Social Security 25:30 Messaging and Communication Strategies 26:46 Veterans and Social Issues 28:42 Campaign Strategies and Challenges 33:46 Military Service and Leadership 37:44 Concluding Remarks and Final Thoughts Subscribe for smart, fearless commentary that cuts through the noise. 📖 Learn more about John Vincent at https://vincent4congress.org 📚 Get Hijacked Nation by Bob Gatty: [https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7] 🌐 Visit our blog: [https://leantotheleft.net] 🎧 Listen to more episodes: [https://podcast.leantotheleft.net] 👇 Join the conversation in the comments. About Bob Gatty Bob Gatty is a former journalist and communications consultant, the founder and editor of the Lean to the Left blog and host of this podcast. He's co-author of "Hijacked Nation, Donald Trump's attack on America's greatness. Link: https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7. Lean to the Left pulls no punches in calling out Trump, Musk & Co., who are turning our country into their own personal piggybank. If you enjoy this commentary, please visit, subscribe and share the Lean to the Left podcast. Meanwhile, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this video and offering your thoughts. Your voice matters!