Chronically parched is not something anyone in this country or anywhere should ever have to feel, but here we are.

So how are towns and states making clean water more affordable, reliable, and less controversial? 'cause remember, it's fucking water.

Look, you might feel like you're giving it all you got but when you look around things are a little dark out there. So you, our listeners and readers and viewers and users, whatever, across the world, want and demand more examples of fight and progress you can see and touch and feel, taste, and in these conversations, in this special series, in our partnership with our best friends that Run For Something, we're gonna do that.

Each of these episodes features two guests both sourced from the Run For Something pipeline and graduating classes. First, I'll introduce one young elected official at the state or local level who has actually made real measurable progress on an issue facing more Americans than ever before, something that you'll notice.

And then in the same episode, I'll introduce a bright-eyed candidate who's currently running for a state legislature for mayor, for city council, or for school board, who is similarly hellbent on attacking the same issue in their own hometown or their state. And for all you know, one of these could be in yours or near yours, or just have lessons that apply to yours.

Today our topic: drinking water. You'd think it wouldn't be complicated or controversial, but remember folks, bad guys are real.

Introducing our incumbent, State Rep Laurie Pohutsky is a Michigan born millennial microbiologist serving her fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives where she serves on the Oversight Committee and is the Chair of the Progressive Women's Coalition.

Laurie sponsored legislation that became Michigan's Clean Energy and Jobs Act of 2023. She's the co-sponsor of legislation to make polluters pay, which is always great, and to amend Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which focuses on environmental cleanup standards and procedures, which would be stellar since, as you know, the EPA has, basically been abolished.

Our candidate, Denzel McCampbell is a fine, young community advocate and native Detroiter, living and running for Detroit City Council District Seven. Denzel was born and raised in the east side and is a graduate of Michigan State University. He is dedicated to public service, to fighting day in and day out to increase access to democracy and representation for marginalized groups. He believes the Detroit city government should be a responsive government that uses its resources to ensure that every neighborhood is well resourced and that every resident is able to have the fundamentals.

Two amazing humans fighting for water, and fighting for everything else. Let's find out what it means for their hometowns, for Michigan, and for yours.

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INI Book Club:

• Lawless by Leah Litman
• Whose Detroit? by Heather Ann Thompson
• Find all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-club

Links:

• Playlists: Everybody Scream by Florence + the Machine and Afro House 2025
• Keep up with Laurie's work at lauriepohutskyformichigan.com
• Support Denzel's campaign at denzelfordetroit.com
• Support other young progressives at runforsomething.net or find a local office where you can run yourself at https://wherecanirun.org/

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• Produced by Willow Beck
• Intro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.com

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