Friend,

When I’m not fighting for CT-04 in Congress or crisscrossing the district to meet with constituents, you might find me out on the beach collecting oysters.

I love oysters like I love politics. But I know each can be divisive. While folks like me can’t get enough of either one, many steer clear of both. 

Recently, while I was gathering oysters for dinner, it occurred to me that whether we like them or not, we need oysters like we need politics.

Here in CT-04, oysters play a critical role in filtering the waters of the Long Island Sound. Just one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, helping to clean our ecosystem and preserve our shoreline.

Just as not everyone likes the taste of oysters, not everyone has a taste for politics. Partisanship can make politics rather unpalatable. But political discourse is how we resolve problems in a democratic society, and when our politics function properly, we pave roads, fund schools, and plan for our collective future.

Spending a chilly morning in Connecticut gathering oysters is a thrill. Returning to Washington and speaking up for our communities in Congress is even better.

— Jim

P.S. — Whether oystering or politicking, it’s always important to follow the rules. George Santos learned that the hard way, but I always make sure to stop by Town Hall and pick up my shellfishing license.