Candidate for
US Representative; Pennsylvania Congressional District; District 5

As an advocate for children who find themselves in the foster care system, often by no fault of their own, I have seen the devastation that this economic downturn is wreaking on families. I have seen intact families with both parents traveling out of state for work; relying on an extended network of family and friends to care for their children. I have seen young fathers coming home after 3 weeks working on a West Virginia gas rig to babies that do not recognize them.

When I work with these families, I have never wondered whether they were Democrats or Republicans. What I do know is that they are asking for help and the only way I can help them is by listening to what they need and then doing something about it. The hardworking men and women in Pennsylvania and across the Nation are looking for leaders that will help them regain their voice in their Democracy.

Pennsylvanians and citizens across the nation deserve a Representative who is going to fight for all of us; not work to protect big business and special interests. We deserve a government who will support our working families by raising the minimum wage, barring discrimination based on gender or sexual identity, spurring innovation, investing in our infrastructure and supporting our public schools. We need to focus on legislation that helps small businesses on Main Street, not Wall Street.

We deserve a representative who will represent ALL the voices of the district. Unemployment, struggling schools, breaking families; these are not Democratic or Republican struggles. They are our struggles; Democrat and Republican alike. Until we elect Representatives that listen to the needs of our entire districts, and who will do the work that helps children and families, we will be forced to continue this struggle.

We can do better than this. We deserve better than this.

Together, we can get Congress back to work. We need to be united and organized. We must work together to rebuild the foundation of our American Dreams. That is why I am running for U.S. Congress. I have dedicated my life to amplifying the voices of the unheard. I would be humbled to continue that service on behalf of my entire district and my country.