Why I’m Running
In the 4th chapter of Ephesians, Paul begs his listener to live a life worthy of the calling to which he’s been called. Since childhood, I have known that God called me to serve, and I have and will continue to spend my life trying to live up to that call. That’s why I am running for Alabama’s Second Congressional District. My political views are firmly tied to my faith, the idea that we are called to feed the hungry and care for the sick and liberate the captive. I believe that we do better by our children and families when we support abundant life for all rather than fearing that there isn’t enough to go around. In these United States of America, we can all enjoy abundant life, but it’s going to require courage and faithfulness to our ideals. We can restore unity and strengthen the bonds of peace, but It’s going to require humility and gentleness, patience and bearing with one another in love.
I therefore a prisoner in the Lord beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all gentleness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3
Strengthening the country starts by strengthening the local community in which we live. Community is not built on policies or regulations or taxes. It’s built on real relationships between people who live and work together, relationships that include genuinely listening to another person and then caring about what brings joy to their daily life and what makes them nervous about the future. That kind of authentic relationship is what I love best about Alabama, and I believe it is the role of our elected representatives to nurture those relationships by demonstrating that gift of authentic listening and caring.
As I’ve watched the past several election cycles unfold, I have been saddened to see how politicians have tried to turn us against one another, to convince us that we cannot be in real relationship. To convince us that we couldn’t possibly understand someone else’s hopes and fears. But we are not as divided as they want us to be, and I refuse to give up on having that kind of real relationship with all my neighbors.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
– Benjamin Franklin
As a taxpayer, I care deeply about how public funds are spent. That’s our money and we have the right and responsibility to ensure it is spent smartly. That’s why I support preventative investments such as early childhood education and strengthening our roads and infrastructure. Because keeping things good is cheaper than fixing something after it’s gone bad. I’m also committed to greater government transparency, because we the people deserve to know exactly how our money is being spent. As your Congresswoman, I pledge to make the inner workings of government more accessible to every citizen and to fight against backroom deals and hidden agendas.
As a student of the Bible and a student of history, I know that there is great wisdom to be found from listening closely to the stories of our elders. Our history does not define our future, but we ignore it at our own peril. Speaking out is hard, but staying silent will crush your soul. We have to speak the truth, even when it is embarrassing or painful. We have to stand up for kindness and decency, even toward people with whom we disagree vehemently. We have to protect the rights and the well-being of all God’s children, even when we think their troubles are of their own making. Doing what’s right is rarely easy, often distasteful, but always worth it.
Across the Second Congressional District, I have come to know so many amazing and dedicated Alabamians. You have taught me that there is no single definition of the Wiregrass and no single definition of Montgomery, just as there is no single definition of what it means to be American. You have demonstrated incredible empathy for one another and an incredible capacity to problem solve. By your commitment and insight, you have shown me that I am by no means the only person in Alabama who is qualified to represent you in Congress. But you can trust that if you do call me to that position, I will be disciplined and diligent in leading a life worthy of that calling.