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US Rep. from Maryland visits Detroit for presidential campaign sit down with small businesses

Posted at 4:38 PM, Jan 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-10 17:32:45-05

DETROIT (WXYZ) — After three terms in Congress, a U.S. Representative from Maryland wants to become president, and he's bringing his message to Detroit.

It's an early start to a presidential campaign, but a congressman from Maryland says coming to metro Detroit to meet with small business owners is crucial and part of his overall vision for the country.

John Delaney is a former entrepreneur and CEO who ran companies specializing in helping businesses get loans. During an early campaign stop at Detroit Vegan Soul restaurant Thursday, Delaney offered some of his own views on the need to support local business.

“All these parts of our country left behind, need new jobs and energy and it’s going to be pioneers and entrepreneurs who stick their flag in the ground and say, 'hey, I’m going to do it,'” Delaney said.

The Maryland representative says part of his mission is to learn from businesses owned and operated by people of color. As president, the Democratic candidate says he would focus on making sure people from struggling communities have every possible opportunity to succeed, and money needed to get started in business.

Delaney also weighed in on the current political climate and government shutdown after serving three terms in Congress before leaving office.

“It’s an embarrassment," he said. "It’s ridiculous. Government should be open now. A bunch of people are getting hurt including a bunch of small businesses. The president should stop holding the country hostage and reopen government.”

Delaney's round table discussion was hosted by the Detroit Development Fund, a local nonprofit organization.

The fund has helped countless business get off the ground and is led by Detroiters like Ivory Jackson.

“He was an entrepreneur himself and started two businesses," Jackson said. "So, I’m confident he’ll do great things."