Why I'm running for re-election
One of the things that has caused me a lot of distress over the last few years is that too many people have stopped believing we have the capacity to solve our problems. They have stopped thinking and dreaming of a better world. They are buying into despair and accepting the cost of failure.
Driving some of this belief is a lack of faith in our elected officials and institutions to solve problems. It has caused a rift in our society and is hampering our ability to come together to make change. This is an issue we need to address together if we are going to right the ship.
A livable community is one where people are safe, healthy and economically secure.
Not many people would say our communities meet that definition right now, and in fact, Portland is indeed broken— but we can and must put the pieces back together.
That's why I have decided to run for reelection to Congress!
I know the next couple years are going to be hard, and sometimes unpleasant.
We are facing a housing and houseless crisis, a climate crisis, and an economy that works for some but not all.
We had these same crises before the pandemic, and as we stand here two years later they seem to have gotten worse.
It won't come as a surprise to you that I have a series of ten point plans, reports, and legislation to deal with the crises we face. But those alone will not solve our problems.
In the past, the secret of our success was our people— our communities. We worked together to build the coalitions and the ideas to make our region one of the best places in the world. And that is how we will build back better.
This sense of community is inspiring a new generation of leadership and we're seeing it happen again.
Whether it's Councilman Eddy Morales and Rep. Ricki Ruiz in Gresham, Rep. Khanh Pham on 82nd Avenue, or Metro Councilmember Duncan Hwang in SE Portland, these leaders are pulling people together with a vision for improving the community. Working with them is inspiring.
We are forging unlikely coalitions with people who have a similar vision, even if sometimes there are disagreements on specific items or tactics.
But that spirit of collaboration is how we reclaim the mantle of livability.
I'm renewing my commitment: if reelected, I will work as hard as I can to put our community back on the path toward being one of the most livable communities in the country.
I'm excited to represent the new district, which includes the heart of Portland and East Multnomah County, beautiful parts of Clackamas County, majestic Mt. Hood, the Columbia Gorge, and now Hood River.
The federal government plays an important but different role in each of these areas and I want to use my knowledge and connections to ensure these voices are being heard.
This is not something I can do alone. It will take all of us working together to make the changes we want to see.
I'm not only asking for your support and your vote, but I am also asking you to go on this journey with me.
It's time to rededicate ourselves to the work of making sure our communities are safe, healthy and economically secure. And we can only do it together.
Onward,
