The North Country is defined by resilience, independence, community pride and unmatched natural beauty. Yet for too long, families across Northern New York have faced rising housing costs, stagnant wages, shrinking access to healthcare, higher utility prices, a declining workforce, and a growing sense that opportunity is slipping away. In short, our quality of life is declining.

Sorrow. Suffering. Anguish. Pain. Despair. These emotions have become all too familiar in today’s America. It is difficult to look at our nation, a nation we all deeply love, and not feel frustrated and lost, saddened and disheartened by the rise of political violence, racism, injustice, and inequality that confronts us today. It is impossible to reflect on the events of January 6^th and on the many decisions being made by the current administration without recognizing that as a people and as a nation, we have fallen short of America’s promise and commitment to greatness.

What John Brown told his accusers that day in Virginia, he says to all of us here today with the enduring voice of history—that the plight of the dispossessed, the fear of those forgotten by the rule of law, of those betrayed by our failure to uphold American ideals—he tells us that their shackles are our shackles and that their fight for freedom and justice must be our fight as well.  

No one political group or ideology owns the manual for solving the complex problems facing our Country. If this American experiment is to succeed, it will require everyone to engage in political discourse, and we are all responsible for ensuring that room for those conversations exists by not marginalizing or demonizing those we disagree with.

Few areas of government better illustrate the repeated failure of our major political parties to reach a compromise than our broken and flawed approach to immigration policy.  This ongoing failure stems from a mix of opposing ideologies, political strategy, and entrenched stubbornness.  

For our communities to thrive, we must focus on strengthening and growing our local economies. Improving economic conditions in Northern New York is a complex challenge that will require a complex solution.  Ultimately, a strong economy will support our residents, empower local governments, and create opportunities for future generations.

Long-term economic prosperity is only possible through a commitment to ensuring that future generations have access to the best education available. 

As in so many areas across our state and nation, Northern New York has been facing a severe affordable housing crisis that has resulted in the hollowing out of our communities as long-time residents are forced to out-migrate and new, prospective young families are unable to afford the cost of housing.  The effects of this crisis wear on the entire fabric of our communities..

I’d like to start by addressing the stalled Equality Act. If passed, this legislation would strengthen existing civil rights protections by explicitly including sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as protected categories. It would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, jury service, and education. For far too long, LGBTQ+ Americans have faced barriers to fully participating in our democracy and our communities. As a Nation, we must pass the Equality Act to ensure that all Americans are afforded the freedoms and liberties promised by our Constitution and by the ideals of our democracy.

Improving healthcare access and affordability in Northern New York is both an economic necessity and a moral imperative. Our healthcare system is increasingly strained and often unable to meet residents' needs. Although this crisis affects all Northern New York residents, it disproportionately impacts low-income families, senior citizens, veterans, and individuals living in remote areas.

A glance at the news quickly reminds us of the many dangers and growing threats our Country faces.  One of the government’s fundamental responsibilities is to ensure our national security.  Therefore, I strongly support adequately funding our military and investing in advanced technologies to ensure the safety and security of our land is never in question. 

We must also protect those that will come after us by being good stewards of the land and environment entrusted to us.

As a lifelong Catholic, my personal actions and principles are grounded in the tenants of my faith. Of the many values Christians of all denominations hold dear, compassion is core. “Blessed are those that show compassion, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) As an American, my beliefs are also shaped by our ideals—those principles that have defined this nation’s greatness for generations. Among these are the concepts of personal freedom and religious liberty. I believe each person must make decisions based on their own beliefs, religious convictions, and experiences. In a society that embraces diversity and freedom, the government cannot replace this deeply individual decision. 

While we continue the fight for the dignity of all people, we must also work to protect the most vulnerable within our communities. We must confront the hunger and food insecurity that exists not only in distant parts of America, but right here at home in our own communities.

We must also ensure our Nation honors its commitments and responsibilities to our seniors.

Improving the healthcare system isn’t limited to just physical care alone, as our communities also face a significant shortage of mental health providers, leaving residents without the essential care they need.

After I shared my disappointment about the loss of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, I was asked by several neighbors why tax dollars should support public broadcasting at all. The most common argument I heard was that if the content were truly valuable, the market would sustain it on its own.

This is a familiar critique—and one worth addressing.

I believe there are fundamental public interests that should not be left solely to market demand. Healthcare is a clear example. If access to healthcare were determined only by profitability, rural regions like the North Country would have even fewer options than they already do. Without public support, grants and incentives, clinics, hospitals, and providers would abandon sparsely populated areas because they aren’t profitable—an outcome that would be devastating for those communities.

Today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the following statement:

“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region. The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”

Those who know me well know that I have deep and lasting friendships within the Venezuelan community. Through those relationships, I have come to understand—personally and painfully—the brutality of life under Nicolas Maduro’s rule. In the aftermath of the recent U.S. military action inside Venezuela to arrest Maduro, I spoke first with trusted Venezuelan friends to hear their perspectives before finalizing my own.