Run for Office, Then Run Away

Republicans Love Your Vote—Just Not Your Questions

Town halls used to be a staple of American democracy. A simple but powerful tradition: elected officials standing before their constituents, taking tough questions, and being held accountable. It’s not always fun—believe me, I’ve been there—but it’s part of the job. Yet today’s Republican Party, led by Speaker Mike Johnson and others, is running from these events, afraid to face the very people they claim to represent. Why? Because a couple recent town halls, well, had upset people, and that doesn’t “look good.”

Speaker Johnson recently dismissed the angry voices at Republican town halls as "paid protesters." That’s a convenient excuse—but it’s a lie. The people showing up, demanding answers, are real constituents, many of them lifelong Republicans, who are frustrated and scared. They want to know why their representatives continue to back Donald Trump despite his blatant disregard for democracy, why their party is embracing extremism instead of solutions. They have every right to demand answers.

I know how uncomfortable town halls can be. When I was in Congress, I often dreaded them. You can’t hide behind talking points when you’re standing in front of a crowd of frustrated voters. I remember one event in my Illinois district where people pushed me on healthcare, Trump’s dangerous rhetoric, and the growing divide in the country. Those conversations were tough—but they mattered. They forced me to confront reality, to hear what people were actually feeling outside of the D.C. bubble. And sometimes, they even changed my mind.

One of the most memorable town halls I held was in the middle of the 2018 election cycle, where I faced a room full of constituents concerned about healthcare access, tax policies, and Trump’s erratic behavior. They weren’t there to score political points—they were there because these issues directly affected their lives. I had to stand there, listen, and give them real answers. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was necessary.

Republicans don’t want to deal with that. They’d rather stay in their echo chambers, surrounded by sycophants and Fox News soundbites, than face the genuine concerns of their districts. But democracy doesn’t work that way. If you can’t stand in front of the people who elected you and justify your decisions, you don’t deserve to hold office.

This evasion is more than just political cowardice—it’s a betrayal of their duty. When you sign up to be a public servant, you don’t get to pick and choose which parts of the job you like. If you’re unwilling to engage with voters who may disagree with you, you have no business being in politics. And the refusal to hold town halls speaks volumes about today’s GOP leadership: they know their actions can’t withstand scrutiny, so they hide.

That’s why I’m calling on Americans—Republicans, Democrats, Independents—to demand town halls. Show up at offices. Call your representatives. Write letters. They owe you an explanation for why they continue to enable a man who tried to overthrow an election. Make your voice so loud that they can’t ignore it.

And if Republicans won’t do their job, then Democrats should step in. I want to see Democrats holding town halls in Republican districts, giving those voters a place to be heard. Show them there’s another path, one that isn’t built on lies and cowardice.

Imagine the impact if Democratic lawmakers went into red districts, stood before Republican voters, and actually listened to their concerns. It would disrupt the toxic narrative that politicians must only cater to their party’s base. It would remind people that, at the end of the day, representatives serve everyone in their district, not just those who voted for them.

Elected officials work for the people. The moment they start hiding from them, they’ve already failed. It’s time to hold them accountable.