Jim Jordan Challenger Mike Larsen Rolls Out “Open Mike,” Daily Show on Facebook Live

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2020

Contact: Katie Baker

Cell: 740-485-1125

Jim Jordan Challenger Mike Larsen Rolls Out “Open Mike,” Daily Show on Facebook Live

PLAIN CITY -- Democrat Mike Larsen, a nationally-known comedian, former Capitol Hill staffer, and Emmy-nominated television writer who is challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan in Ohio’s 4th Congressional District, today officially announced his Facebook Live show “Open Mike.”

Larsen built the show, which is streamed nightly at 8 p.m. on the campaign Facebook page , as a means of connecting with voters during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Campaigns are about meeting people where they are, especially grassroots campaigns like ours, ” said Larsen . “ Prior to the COVID19 lockdown and social distancing, I spent every day knocking on doors and every night meeting with voters in their homes. We can’t do that anymore, but the secret to campaigning, like comedy, is being able to improvise. Open Mike is a way for me to engage with voters in a format that is natural to me. Each night, we talk about current events, answer voters’ questions, and engage in real conversations with newsmakers, entertainers, and some of the fascinating people who live in Ohio’s 4th congressional district. And we do it all with a sense of humor that helps people deal with the trying times we’re all living through.”

Larsen’s guests thus far have included:

“Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me” panelist Adam Felber, who asked Larsen how he would survive a Zombie Apocalypse.

Emile Deweaver, a formerly-incarcerated writer and activist whom Mike met while mentoring writers at San Quentin Prison. Deweaver discussed how being stuck at home compared to being stuck at prison and explained that prisoners who feared being sent to solitary confinement might try to conceal their symptoms of COVID-19.

Chandler White, a student at Marysville High School, who discussed the challenges he and his classmates have faced trying to access the internet as they complete their studies remotely. [Full show HERE]

Michele Francesconi, a sixth and eighth grade teacher (and Mike’s sister) who shed light on the challenges parents and teachers face as kids are learning how to learn remotely while schools are shuttered. [Full show HERE]

Larsen, who previously wrote for Real Time with Bill Maher , Ellen , and The Drew Carey Show , anticipates hosting a mix of celebrities and community members from the district between now and the April 28 election.

Upcoming guests include:

Will Jenkins, former Obama White House adviser, who worked on passage of the Affordable Care Act with Mike when he served Congresswoman Jackie Speier in Washington.

Diedrich Bader, one of the stars of the Drew Carey Show and current star of ABC’s American Housewife.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), whom Mike served as a senior staffer in Washington, DC.

Terry Odom, a Military Sexual Trauma (MST) activist, who credits Mike with saving her life after she called Rep. Speier’s office to talk about her assault while a Navy recruit, and subsequent suicide attempts.

Ron Payne, a retired Ohio minister who marched with Dr. King in Selma.

Plus, other newsmakers, comedians, entertainers, and voters.

Reporters and members of the public are encouraged to tune in tonight, when Mike will feature interviews with WWGH Marion’s Glenn Coble , host of The Progressive Life, and Puppet Jim Jordan .

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Democrat Mike Larsen is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer who worked on some of the most iconic shows in recent television history, including The Drew Carey Show, Ellen, Reba, Real Time with Bill Maher, and 2 Guys & a Girl. He later left show business to serve the public as a staffer on Capitol Hill. There, Mike helped military sexual assault survivors tell their stories to Congress and created a Job Hunters Bootcamp that was duplicated by other members of Congress to help their constituents find jobs. Mike also worked with President Obama and Speaker Pelosi to pass the Affordable Care Act, has been a rank-and-file member of four labor unions, and volunteered to teach workshops to incarcerated writers. He and his wife Tina raise their teenage daughter in Plain City, in Union County.

Muckraker is a woman-owned media relations firm that envisions and executes individually-tailored communications plans that are authentic to the voice and values of the client. We strive to move the ball forward by electing Democrats, enacting policy, educating the public, and energizing the base. We work best with progressive voices but serve all clients who share our core Democratic values. Email katie@muckrakerbaker.com for more information.