20 years ago, the junior Senator for Illinois gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention to talk about how the upcoming election was a practice in hope.

My former boss, Barack Obama, talked about how “a skinny kid with a funny name,” could believe he belonged in America and posed a challenge to the crowd of Democrats, “Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?”

As a fellow American with a “funny name,” I approach politics with hope and with pragmatism.

My parents came to this country to pursue the American dream and met their hope with the tireless work of building a new life from scratch in a completely foreign place. When I’ve asked how they managed it all, their answer was basically taking it one step at a time.

Americans are frustrated by the politics-as-usual standstill. Sometimes the dysfunction feels insurmountable, but I’ve spent my career tackling big problems head on, breaking down complex issues into manageable steps to deliver real results. It’s what my parents taught me.

I’m running for Congress to take on the tough fights and deliver real results for everyone who has been told they “have a funny name” or they don’t belong.

I’m running for Congress to help make the American dream that’s been pushed out of reach for too many easier to reach.

I can’t do this without your support, John. Chip in $20 or whatever you can towards our get out the vote victory plan, every second counts as Virginians are already voting!