At this time last year, I began planning a run for the U.S. Congress, because our government is broken, and our Congressional representatives don’t effectively represent a large portion of the residents in this district. I wanted to move our discussions away from the politics of anger and fear and toward the politics of community and hope. We officially launched our campaign on September 17th, and I’ve spent the last 4 1/2 months balancing a start-up campaign, my job as a lawyer (which I get to step back from on January 1st), and raising our two children (one of whom was snuggled against my arm as I typed this).

I’ve already learned so much from all of you in this short time. Every day our friends and neighbors worry about whether they will be able to see a doctor, afford their medicine, or have to ration their insulin; whether they will be evicted from their homes because the building they have lived in for years was sold to a landlord who doesn’t want them there; and whether they will earn enough to buy health insurance, feed their kids and fix their cars. They worry about how to prevent further deaths from gun violence in our communities; how to make our communities and governments more fair; how to help others who are struggling or suffering; and how to fight climate change, even when they are too young to have much power and when those who do have power refuse to use it to preserve the world for younger generations.

I’ve seen how hard people work for others here, volunteering, teaching, organizing events, protesting, marching, working for non-profits, acting as first responders, and yes, running for office. I’ve seen how much commitment, dedication and energy we have in our district. And I’ve seen so many places where we need more resources, or better use of the resources we have, to make life better for everyone.

My job, as your Congresswoman, will be to listen to your concerns, take your stories and insights to Washington and amplify your voices. I will work with you to understand how our government can assist with the fantastic work you already do, solve the problems that you care about deeply, and improve the lives of everyone in this district. And I will advocate for what you need. I will fight for access to affordable health care for everyone, fair wages and safe, stable, affordable housing for all, and a sustainable future for our planet. I will fight to make our country more fair and just, a place where poverty isn’t treated as a crime, where justice is understood to be a right and not a privilege, and where the system isn’t rigged in favor of those already in power. To be elected to office is to receive a sacred trust, one that I will always honor and work to earn.

As I look forward to 2020, I do so with hope. I believe we are less divided as a country than our politics makes us seem. I believe it is still possible to reach across the cracks in our society and pull toward each other. I believe that, with your support, I can make a difference and that together, we can rebuild the path to the American Dream.

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Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash