Two years ago, if you knew Jason Kander, it meant you were probably from Missouri. That all changed when the Army vet and former Missouri secretary of state ran for Senate and produced one of 2016’s most viral campaign ads: a 30 second clip of him assembling an assault rifle blindfolded while advocating for stricter background checks on gun purchases. The direct call out of his Republican opponent’s lack of gun knowledge set off a Midwest authenticity battle that went national. Kander narrowly lost that race, but hasn’t stopped campaigning since. He set up Let America Vote to directly advocate for voting rights in states like Georgia and New Hampshire; he spreads his message on his Majority 54 podcast and popular Twitter feed; and he’s announced he’s running for mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. His new book, Outside the Wire, is typical rising politician fare—an appreciation of life lessons learned from family, war, and politics—but Kander stands out among Midwest white male politicians. While not as left as a Democratic Socialist, he’s not one to hedge to appeal to the center and understands that the working class isn’t just white. If he keeps going, he’s soon going to be in D.C. for more than book signings. Read more>>> Jason Kander speaks at 7 p.m. at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. $15–$40. (202) 408-3100. sixthandi.org. (Justin Weber)

OH AND ALSO

Union Stage presents an acoustic open mic night in the tap room. 7:30 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. Free.

Australian indie rock artist Alex Lahey performs at Rock & Roll Hotel. 8 p.m. at 1353 H St. NE. $15–$17.

Author Roy Scranton discusses his new book, We’re Doomed. Now What?: Essays on War and Climate Change, a collection of pieces about the unpleasant realities of violence, urgent global issues, and a volatile world, at Politics and Prose. 7 p.m. at 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW. Free.

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