"Washington is out of touch
with rural Georgia
Michael is running to fix it.
Fighting for working people, rural communities, and
real solutions in Georgia’s 1st District
"I don’t care about party talking points or about towing party lines.
If it helps regular people, I’ll fight for it.
If it doesn’t - I'll fight like hell to make sure it doesn't pass."
Growing up poor in rural South Carolina, Michael was raised by his grandmother, who worked in the Clinton administration, and taught him that hard work and working-class values go hand in hand. That combination of grit and principles has defined everything he’s done since.
While other kids his age were figuring out college plans, McCord was already working double shifts in manufacturing to pay his way through school. He spent 12-hour days on the BMW assembly line, and those long days taught him what it really means to live paycheck to paycheck and work for a living. It’s a lesson that still drives him today.
McCord has been fighting in Democratic politics since 2008, cutting his teeth working races from coast to coast. By 2020, he was running Southern strategy for Tim Ryan’s presidential bid. On the campaign trail, Michael stood out by treating voters not like numbers, but like neighbors.
McCord has also served on boards for South Carolina Equality and Foothills Family Resource. Five years ago, Michael moved to Savannah to pay it forward, starting his own small business, helping local owners to get ahead.
Michael's consulting work isn’t about big corporate deals; it’s about helping the local restaurant owner navigate supply chain costs, or showing a family how to cut through insurance red tape. Last year, that hands-on approach saved Georgia small business owners over $3.5 million dollars.
Whether it’s fighting for affordable healthcare, protecting small businesses from crushing regulations, or making sure working families get a fair shake, McCord’s approach is simple: show up, do the work, and put results over rhetoric.
Meet Michael
Michael’s vision is built on three guiding principles
A Platform for the Middle
Putting working people first
Small businesses, farmers, and local workers are the backbone of our economy. Michael will fight for policies that cut red tape, expand access to capital for local entrepreneurs, protect pensions, and raise wages so families can build a better future. He will prioritize investments in infrastructure, like rural broadband, safe roads, and modern ports. To make sure opportunity reaches every corner of the district.
Fighting to keep healthcare local
Too many rural hospitals and clinics are closing, forcing families to drive hours just to see a doctor. Michael will push for federal funding to stabilize rural hospitals, expand telehealth, and ensure mental health services are accessible in small towns. No mother should have to travel across counties to deliver a baby, and no veteran should wait months for care.
Training the next generation
The future of Georgia’s economy depends on a strong workforce. Michael will champion apprenticeship programs, vocational training, and partnerships with community colleges. That prepare students for good-paying jobs in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. His goal is simple, young people should be able to build a life right here at home, without having to leave their community behind.
McCord represents something coastal Georgia hasn’t seen in a while: a Blue Dog Democrat who has lived the working class struggles.
The Fight for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District
With Rep. Buddy Carter vacating the Congressional District
Georgia's 1st is now an open seat for the first time in years
Buddy's exit presents a unique opportunity for a candidate who can tap into the frustrations and desires of voters who are ready for change. This dynamic, combined with McCord’s ability to unite urban and rural voters, positions him as the ideal candidate to lead a successful campaign in a district that is becoming more competitive.
Georgia’s 1st Congressional District is one of the most diverse in the state, from bustling ports and military bases to small towns and farmland. For too long, Georgia families here have been left behind. Michael McCord is running to ensure every community, whether rural or coastal, has the same opportunity to thrive.
Key Endorsements
