Arik Bjorn

So I Ran for Congress Arik Bjorn

In 2016, Arik Bjorn ran against veteran Republican Congressman Joe "You Lie!" Wilson as the Democratic Party/Green Party fusion candidate in South Carolina's Second Congressional District. Bjorn stepped forward at the registration deadline, as no legitimate Democratic Party candidate had emerged to run. "So I Ran for Congress" chronicles Bjorn's uncharacteristic first race for political office: "It was 2016, the Election to end all Elections. Bernie the Democratic-Socialist versus Hillary the Glass Ceiling Smasher--with an Orange Fascist-in-Waiting stomping about in Goliath-like fashion on the other end of the political spectrum. Yet Civilized Voters in South Carolina's Second Congressional District were in danger of having no champion for their Voice for a third straight election cycle." Bjorn, a single father, worked full-time as a public librarian while campaigning. He was only the second candidate ever endorsed by the South Carolina Democratic Party before its state primary. Bjorn was also endorsed by the National Education Association Fund, SC Equality, the Alliance for Retired Americans, the South Carolina AFL-CIO, as well as a number of national labor unions, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Education Association and the Teamsters. The Bjorn for Congress campaign slogan was "There's a Better Way!" From the preface: "Political campaigns are loaded with grind and reward. FEC deadlines, policy position research and debate prep are tedious and brain-wrenching, but occasionally you catch a glimpse of a Founding Father and Mother smiling at you from the Constitutional beyond. You are a major party federal candidate daring to speak on behalf of 'WE the People.' Just, wow." Arik Bjorn has eight books available on Amazon, including his first novel, "The Prodigal" (2020). "The Prodigal" took 25 years to complete, and is a contemporary, comedic reshaping of The Divine Comedy. Bjorn holds degrees in archaeology/ancient languages and library science. His writing has been featured on a number of national websites. He has been read by lots of folks in 190 countries. He resides in Columbia, South Carolina, and is mulling a run for Municipal Dogcatcher in 2024.