For far too long, we’ve been told that the answers to our problems must come from Washington. I don’t believe that’s true. Washington cannot—and should not—be expected to solve the challenges facing our communities.

Real solutions start at the local level. The strength of Northern New York lies in its civic organizations, community groups, nonprofits, houses of worship, businesses, and neighborhood networks—people who are working every day to support their neighbors and tackle real issues head-on. Here and across the country, local groups are leading the way in solving local challenges, such as expanding affordability and access to healthcare, housing, childcare, and eldercare, to name just a few.

Washington does have an important role to play—but not as the primary problem-solver. Its responsibility should be to support local efforts, provide resources, and empower communities to develop solutions that reflect their unique needs.

I’m running for Congress to restore that balance—and to make sure Washington starts working for us.