Today is Trans Day of Remembrance – when we memorialize those who've been murdered this year by transphobia. The Human Rights Campaign reports that at least 25 beautiful souls were taken this year by violence and hate.

For much of 2023, I've been feeling overwhelmed and deeply concerned by the intolerance and bigotry I saw:

• Lawmakers in nearly every state introduced 586 anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

• Our schools and libraries became battlegrounds where Moms for Liberty pushed their hate and fear. (I spoke out at Central Bucks.)

• Brian Fitzpatrick and his fellow Republicans picked Mike Johnson, who has worked for an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, as their Speaker.

But my sense of hope has been renewed by what we saw across the country and right here in Pennsylvania just two weeks ago.

People inside and outside of Pennsylvania, full of intolerance and bigotry, spent a lot of money betting voters would side with them. But Pennsylvanians showed we aren't buying their ugly message. That those who peddle hate are the ones who stand alone, not me or you, John.

I also know those victories will not be the end of this fight.

Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Johnson, and the rest of their party are going to bet big on hate, intolerance, and bigotry again next year. Those aren't the values I fought for in the Army, and it's why I got into this race – to protect the people of PA-01 no matter their gender, who they love, their race or creed or income or age.

Today, we remember and grieve for those we've lost. And we commit to fight like hell for the living.

Thanks for being in this fight with me,

Ashley 🚁