Our country is broken, but we have a chance to fix it. In 19 days we have an opportunity to elect new leadership in offices on the front lines of the war on decency, equality and prosperity. Those offices are not in Washington - they are found in the states. From the Women’s March on inauguration weekend to the many wins in special elections and off-year races to the brave survivors standing up to the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, progressives have shown that a fire has been lit and we will not stand for the atrocities being committed by the Trump administration. It can’t and won’t stop there. We must take it to the states.
People are subject to the daily dysfunction of Congress and they are rightly angry, but the biggest changes that directly impact people's lives - for good or bad - come from state houses and governors. It’s where states are deciding whether to provide health insurance to citizens or not, where the worst attacks on women and LGBTQ citizens are being enacted, and where decisions are being made to intentionally deny voting rights to millions of people.
Over the last year, I’ve traveled from coast to coast, city to city to support governors and local candidates. I’ve sat in meetings with health care and voting rights advocates, joined phone banks, spoken at Party dinners, made calls, shared advice and hosted fundraisers all to elect tremendous candidates all over the country – specifically governors.
I consider this to be one of the most important projects I’ve taken on because there is just so much at stake this year. This is truly one of the most important election years of my lifetime. If elected, the candidates running today will come into office at a critical time in this nation’s history. These men and women will be the vanguard in our fight against the hateful and harmful policies put in place by far-right Republicans in the state legislatures just like we have in my home state of Virginia.
Throughout my travel, I’ve had the opportunity to hear from people with different backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives -- from Wichita, Kansas to Chicago, Illinois -- who agree we can and must fix our criminal justice system, combat our opioid crisis and create a 21st century education system. I’ve been to states like Tennessee where the lives of young children and sick adults are in the hands of the next governor.
Across the country on the ballot this year are important protections for women and minority rights and our friends in the LGBTQ+ community. America needs leaders who will fight tirelessly for these issues and won’t stop until more people have equal access and opportunity to live a life they are proud of. Gubernatorial candidates in Wisconsin, Texas and Florida are ready to lead the way.
I’ve traveled throughout Detroit and seen firsthand the potholes, crumbling bridges and outdated transportation systems. There’s only one candidate who has made it priority to address this issue all around the state not just where the wealthy work and live.
For too long, Democrats have been singularly focused on the presidency and federal office-holders to lead us forward. While what we’ve witnessed in Washington over the first few years of the Trump administration has been appalling, we can’t lose focus on what’s happening in our own backyards. We need governors with new ideas who are willing to work hard and who have the ability to do more for people than our sitting President is willing to do. Governors who understand the impact of a trade war not just on the farmers but on families and consumers. I’ve seen these leaders in Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina.
I couldn’t be more excited about the leaders who I’ve met this year. They are in politics for the right reason: to help people. I’ve seen great examples of this type of leader in Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee and Rhode Island.
They all want the best and have great pride for their states. I recognize the admiration, it’s how I’ve always felt about Virginia and how I feel about our great nation.