HOUGHTON – Democrat Lon Johnson is touring the 1st Congressional District to campaign against Republican Jack Bergman in the U.S. representative race to be decided next month.

Johnson and Julianna, his wife of five years, arrived at the debate in Ontonagon last week in a no-frills, 1985 recreational vehicle, his own signs duct-taped to the door frame to replace a window that blew out earlier in the day.

While Johnson did not face Bergman, who was a last-minute no-show, he had plenty to say about his agenda for promoting northern Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula which dominates the district.

“Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have always led the world by using our God-given assets: our people, land and our Great Lakes,” Johnson said.

First, he said we need to connect to and connect with bigger population centers so they can see the scenic home of his constituents firsthand.

“Let’s return passenger rail service,” Johnson said. “For decades we used rail to export value: lumber. Now we need those same lines to import value: tourists.” He said the rail systems will increase economic activity, reinvest in communities and improve transportation.

“Imagine the impact on the U.P. economy if we had a line running from the Soo all the way to Duluth. Or a line running from Chicago and Grand Rapids to Traverse City, Alpena or Petoskey,” he said on his website.

In another way to connect Yoopers, he would demand more from the FCC and communication providers for rural counties to make Internet and mobile phone service available across the district as it is integral to everyone’s success.

“We can compete in this new work place with a wired-up north with help from an asset right outside the window: our beauty,” he says. “When people can choose wherever they want to live and work, they’ll choose where it’s beautiful and that’s where Northern Michigan and the U.P. can compete and win.

“In our lifetime, fresh water will be the most valuable natural resource in the history of the world. And here’s where we have a competitive advantage over the rest of the country and the rest of the world: 21 percent of the world’s fresh water is right here in our Great Lakes. Northern Michigan and U.P must become the world’s thought leader on the use and protection of this precious resource by creating a Fresh Water Institute exploring ways to work with manufacturers, farmers and consumers to do more with less water.”