My goal as a member of Congress will be to champion similar efficient and effective federal programs that provide citizens with more opportunities.
WILLMAR, Minn. — I grew up lucky and blessed in a small Midwest rural community. It wasn't always easy — my parents divorced early, worked paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes my family relied on government aid. We suffered the consequences of alcoholism, but we worked hard and were surrounded by love.
Luck gave me talented educators, great mentors, and quality education at a community college. I went on to attain three advanced degrees without insurmountable debt. We lived in a safe, clean neighborhood. We had affordable housing, access to medical care, sound infrastructure, and good jobs.
My foundation was a blessing. It's how I developed a bedrock of principles that still guides me today — values like:
Wisdom
Justice
Courage
Integrity
Equality
Democratic Freedom
Temperance
Unity
I learned wisdom from my teachers, justice under the law, equality from leaders, courage from my friends, and kindness from my grandmother.
Many households in our district are like mine. We work hard. We take care of our families. We help our neighbors and celebrate liberty.
Government can't do it all, but proven federal solutions provided me the opportunity to lead an accomplished life — in social work, medicine, health administration, international diplomacy, and as a local public servant. I can't imagine I could have achieved all of it without such a supportive foundation.
My goal as a member of Congress will be to champion similar efficient and effective federal programs that provide citizens with more opportunities. Hardworking families of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula deserve no less than success. Every single one of you deserves to thrive.
