Friend, I get asked all kinds of questions when I’m out on the campaign trail.

What motivated you to run? How are you going to help families in our community? What makes you uniquely prepared to win this toss up race? You name it.

But last month, I was asked a question that I don’t get asked all that often – a question that I haven’t discussed here before. Who is the person who inspires you the most?

This is a bit of a longer note about my family, about me, and about why I’m in this fight. If you don’t have time to read it all the way through (that’s okay!), I hope you’ll consider making a donation to help me win this election and fight for Oregon families like yours and mine.

The person who inspires me the most is, without a doubt, my grandma, Mattie Brown. She was a hotel maid, but you’d never know that.

She was known for joyfully wearing ball gowns, slippers, and makeup around her house. She seemed to know everything about life and politics – and always made a point to teach me everything she knew. She was a true queen in her own right.

No matter what: She always fought to make sure I had everything I needed. Whatever my parents couldn’t provide, she would always fill in. Her dedication to our family inspires me every day.

There are thousands of “Mattie Browns" out there: Hard-working folks who, no matter how much money they have in their pockets, will always fight to take care of their families, find joy in every single day, and dream of a better future (one that, perhaps, includes ball gowns).

Well, I’m running for Congress to help fight for folks like my grandma. To put more money in their pockets. To lower the cost of their healthcare and life-saving prescription drugs. To provide a pathway for all into the middle class. But I can’t do this without you.

If you’re with me in the fight to make the day-to-day just a little bit easier for the thousands of families across our state and our country, I hope you’ll consider chipping in to my campaign. Every single dollar makes a difference.