Lydia Christensen

MARQUETTE — Today’s senatorial candidate, Lydia Christensen, makes her home right here in the Upper Peninsula.

A resident of Ironwood, Christensen is the founder and CEO of Iron Fortress, LLC, a firm that provides sustainable energy solutions for artificial intelligence computing and Bitcoin mining, utilizing the power of solar, wind and hydroelectric energy rather than traditional fossil fuels. When deciding to run for Senate, Christensen saw the underrepresentation of protection of people’s constitutional rights in the federal government, citing how partisan politics are not working to give everyone the voice they deserve.

“Basically, the motivation comes down to seeing what’s going on in our country nowadays. We’re seeing two political parties working hand in hand and they’re both kind of refusing to stand up for our constitutional rights. I’m inspired by that, inspired to defend our freedoms and our environment. Ultimately, I’m inspired to give people a candidate who will work to preserve our constitution, our individual liberties and our environment because those things are important,” said Christensen. “I chose to run for Senate because I feel like we’re underrepresented (in) it, underrepresented in our federal government. The federal government is where a lot of attacks on our personal beings and our constitutional rights and that’s where it’s happening. So, I feel like it’s the most important – second to local elections – the most important thing is (the) federal government. I feel like getting my voice out there is a really important thing to do. That’s why I’m running for the Senate, because partisan politics are not working and as an independent, I have a chance to bridge those divides between people and return America back to a sense of normalcy. I’m looking forward to that.”

Christensen’s campaign is focused on organizing grassroots efforts that help the people within the communities she visits, beginning in the Upper Peninsula and gradually reaching the whole state of Michigan. Foundational pillars of her platform include Medicaid for all and environmental sustainability, and she wants to share those by interacting with constituents through town halls, food pantry donations and community building events.

“As we really ramp up into the election season, I think it’s going to be important to get people locally involved, so we’re starting with grassroots efforts. We’re growing local food in our community and donating it to our food pantries. We’re doing food drives and community building action events. Our campaign is just getting started, but I think as the election season ramps up, we’re going to host these events all across the state of Michigan and go around talking with people about my platform, which is Medicaid for all and Great Lakes preservation, and giving everybody a chance to really come out to these town halls and voice their concerns about the things that really matter to them,” Christensen explained. “An important aspect of our campaign strategy here is going to be doing social media outreach and getting involved on podcasts that are talking about really important things that people are talking about. I especially want to talk with companies that value sustainable jobs and protecting our ecosystem and innovation in our economy, embrace emerging technology and replace outdated industries…I have a whole list of things that I’m interested in combating and fighting, but the main, core tenant of the idea is our individual liberties, our environmental stewardship and how we treat the symbiosis between human and environment. It’s especially important when we live near 20% of the world’s fresh water, and that symbio(tic) relationship between humanity and fresh water is literally what gives us life.”

If elected to serve as a senator on behalf of Michigan, Christensen plans to advocate for industries that sustain both the economy and the environment, as well as securing and protecting the rights of all types of people.

“If I get elected, I’m going to serve Michigan by growing our economy through sustainable industries that work to protect our Great Lakes. I’m going to remove burdensome, outdated regulations and create ones that protect that symbiosis between human and nature and our health. I’ll fight for equality for all, and that includes all of us from our LGBTQ+ community, our Native American communities that are really present here and ensure that we all have a voice in our local government. I’ll champion Medicaid for all and bring back net neutrality laws and use my background in computer science to help secure our digital rights, ensuring that everybody feels safe in our country. I’ll stand firm for our Constitution in a future where Michigan thrives,” said Christensen.

For voters who may be unfamiliar with Christensen’s platform, she’s staunchly focused on providing environmental sustainability, protecting the liberties entrusted to people by the Constitution and proposing Medicaid for all.

“I’d say the key things that are really the most important (are) that I’m running to defend our ecological stewardship, preservation of our constitutional liberties, and running to ensure that we have equality for all in Michigan. On top of that, I’m a really big proponent of this proposed idea of Medicaid for all, because Medicaid has really been a powerhouse in our medical community and is a really good program. I think (everybody) deserve(s) access to it,” Christensen added.

More information about Lydia’s senatorial campaign can be found on her website at lydialynnchristensen.com. Information about Iron Fortress can also be found online at ironfortressllc.com.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.