I was, and am, absolutely horrified by the assassination attempt on former President Trump over the weekend.

I’m thankful that first responders and health care providers responded swiftly and that the former president is safe. And my heart breaks for the family of Corey Comperatore. He was a firefighter and father who died protecting his family.

Let me be clear about this: violence of any kind has no place in our country. Now more than ever, we need to come together as one nation and put a stop to the violence and hate. That means leading with empathy, listening with an open mind, and engaging in tough conversations. 

I know lots of folks are feeling anxious and uncertain about the path ahead. But please know that this horrific weekend does not define us. As a nation, we are better than that. It’s our responsibility to show that through our actions, and I believe that we will.

We are less than four months away from an election with enormous stakes for Oregon and for everyone in our nation. I will continue to make the case for our shared values and an optimistic future. When voters cast their ballots this fall, they will know that I'm a level-headed leader who can navigate choppy waters and move our district, our state, and our country forward. 

Because in a democracy, that’s how we do things. We make our case passionately, and peacefully. We settle our differences at the ballot box. And we respect the will of the voters.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you and your family are well.

-Andrea