John xxxxxx, this is a longer message about what’s been on my mind the past few days — but if you don’t have time to read to the end, I’d appreciate if you could help power our reelection campaign with a donation today.
The past few weeks were hard — the kind where headlines knock the breath out of you. But it’s not just one story. It’s all of it. The violence. The rhetoric. The threats. The sinking feeling that the foundation of our democracy is fraying at the edges.
Emotions are running high, and so is the political temperature.
As an elected official, this particular feeling is something I’ve become accustomed to. In fact, since I came to office, there has been a significant increase in threats to my office. There’s a reason for it.
Our current politics is filled with derision, hatred, and violence. This month alone, Charlie Kirk was murdered likely for his political views. His wife was made a widow and children were forced to go on without him. And our president is using the tragedy to incite more fear.
I know it can be hard to see the way out right now. In these moments – rather than moving further into the darkness – we must move toward the light.
Elected officials cannot do this alone. The path forward is going to take all of us: Clergy and houses of worship. Grandparents and parents. Schools, principals, and educators.
We have to decide that we are not fighting each other. In fact, we need each other if we want to solve our most vexing challenges – poverty, violence, wealth inequality.
We are in a moment of real tension, but we are not irreparably broken. And I will not allow anyone to convince me otherwise.
There is a path forward. It won’t be easy. But we know what it takes. Courage, compassion, and leadership that sees the humanity in every person – not just the ones who vote for them. It also requires citizens willing to believe in something bigger.
We’ve had dark moments before. This country’s history is brutal and uneven. But we’ve found a way through again and again. Not because the path was easy, but because the people demanded better. Because we still believed.
Through God’s grace and ethical leadership, we’ve overcome. And we must again.
I’m praying for all of us. For our country. That we find a way to move beyond the hate and vitriol.
The story of this moment needs to be that we got better – not that we got worse.
Together, we can make that a reality.
Elevate,
Wes
