Why I'm Running for U.S. Senate
Too Many Americans Are Suffering
As military veteran, pro-choice, and small business owner, I am running for the United States Senate as a moderate Democratic candidate because too many Americans are suffering. Opportunities available to us will no longer exist if we stay silent. During these last few years in particular, many Americans experienced the four stages of grief to the extreme: shock, anger, depression and acceptance.
Four Stages of Grief
SHOCK
SHOCK
SHOCK
- Shortly after May 25, 2020, America watched the shocking footage of George Floyd’s death. Bigotry no longer stopped to hide! With a hand in pocket, it gloated and dared anyone to object. This brutal killing recorded in real time, still shocks the conscience of a divided nation!
ANGER
SHOCK
SHOCK
- On Jan 6, 2021, enraged extremists, stormed our nation’s Capitol, desecrated our U.S. flag, and fueled an insurrection to attack our public servants and law enforcement officers. These reprehensible acts angered the soul of our democracy.
DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION
- On Jan 20, 2020, the first American patient tested positive for COVID-19. In less than one year, over 500,000 Americans died from the coronavirus. Survivors, often alone, suffered through a pandemic and unmitigated sadness.
ACCEPTANCE
DEPRESSION
DEPRESSION
- Rather than grieve alone in fear and silence, millions of Americans accepted the fact nothing is going to change, unless we organize - unless we act.
- As a military veteran, the call to serve could not be more urgent. Extremism is nothing new; nor is the ideology to correct injustice with a coup.
How Should We Respond? What Is Our Standard?
Many politicians promise to grow revenue, reduce spending and cut the deficit. However, by which standard can we hold our leaders accountable? Will the proposed action:
- Withstand legitimate challenges in court? Increase our safety and security?
- Be fair to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability?
America Is Only As Strong As Its Weakest Link.
- Though America’s supreme ability to fight wars continues to grow, so does the suffering of our most vulnerable citizens.
- On one hand, we must never forget our brothers and sisters in arms who repeatedly rescued the world from some of the deepest darkness in human history.
- On the other hand, we must address the tragic fact that on average over 17 military veterans die every day by suicide. Our nation’s priorities need to match the growing mental health needs of our citizens, especially our veterans.