What I Learned as a Hospital Chaplain

The answer is simple: In the face of profound adversity, the boundaries of politics dissolve, revealing the empathy and understanding that binds all of us together.

I have sat beside families receiving devastating diagnoses. I have listened to spouses worried about losing a loved one. I have comforted parents facing unimaginable circumstances. I have spoken with veterans, seniors, workers, business owners, immigrants, students, and people from every political background. What did they tell me?

They want access to healthcare when they need it.

They want a safe and affordable place to live.

They want meaningful work and the ability to support their families.

They want dignity, respect, and the opportunity to build a better future.

I have learned that many seniors are frightened about the future. They worry about healthcare costs, prescription drugs, long-term care, and whether the benefits they worked their entire lives to earn will still be there when they need them.

I have learned that families are carrying enormous burdens. Many are working harder than ever while struggling with housing costs, groceries, childcare, and the rising cost of everyday life.

I have learned that workers can see their lives change overnight. A layoff, an illness, or an unexpected emergency can place a family under tremendous financial pressure.

I have learned that people are tired of being divided. Most are not asking for perfection. They are asking for leaders who will listen, tell the truth, and work together to solve problems.

Most importantly, I have learned that every person has a story worth hearing.

Those conversations changed me.

They are also the reason I decided to run for Congress.

I am not running because I have all the answers.

I am running because I believe representation begins with listening.

The voices I have heard over the last decade should not remain inside hospital walls. They deserve to be heard in Washington.

Every day, I stand with families when it matters most.

Now I am asking for the opportunity to stand for them in Congress.