Why I'm Running For Congress

I’m writing this letter to introduce myself to you and ask for your support.  I am running for Congress because middle class families are hurting and I have a proven track record of fighting for working families and upholding middle-class values. I know how to address difficult issues in a bipartisan manner while fighting for the values we share.

As a State Senator and now as the Majority Leader in the Maryland State Senate, I am passionate about growing clean energy jobs in Maryland.  Ten years ago when I was first elected, I listened closely to entrepreneurs when they asked for my help on the development of a green business sector.  Clean energy companies, particularly solar and wind, have no better friend in Annapolis.  Further development of our solar industry – an industry which already supports more than 2,000 jobs – is essential.  And now we have outstanding prospects for wind energy as well.   

  Maintaining Maryland’s position as a national leader in green job creation is a vision that we share for our future, and I am proud of the strong commitment to it in the General Assembly.  Likewise, I’m proud of the work that I have done to support small business owners in creating clean energy jobs.

I‘m also passionate about other important issues, which I will share with you during the campaign:

• Healthcare – Since my days as a staffer for Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), I have been deeply committed to seeing Americans get the healthcare coverage they need.  During my time as a staffer in the House of Representatives, I worked on the passage of the S-CHIP program, which provided matching funds to states to cover healthcare costs for children.  I’ve continued to work very hard as a State Senator to expand access to healthcare for Marylanders, and I will continue that fight in Congress.
• Veterans – When I speak about veterans, I speak from the heart. I value the commitment that our men and women in uniform make.  In the General Assembly, I founded the bipartisan Veterans Caucus to work on behalf of those who sacrifice for us. Even though there are times we may disagree strongly with people on the other side of the aisle, legislators have a responsibility to work on behalf of their constituents and get results.  I know how and when to work with people who have different values; I also know when it is time to fight for what matters.  These are lessons borne of my time in the Maryland Senate, and with your help, I will take my experience to Washington and find people – members of both parties – who will work with me for the good of our District. 

While I respect my opponents and their stated desire to serve our community, I am the only person in this race with a proven track record of getting things done in public office. In Washington, I will leverage my experience and know-how to make sure the citizens of Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District have a voice that generates results.

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