I’ve known Joe Kennedy for a long time.

I first met Joe when we were both Peace Corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic. I witnessed first-hand how he goes out of his way to serve those who are most in need —how hard he works in the name of justice for all.

On the first day of his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Joe showed up in my district at “Mass & Cass.” It’s a stretch of road in Boston where folks suffering from substance use disorders and homelesness congregate. I’m an ER doctor, working at the safety net hospital in the area.

The thing I respect about Joe isn’t just that he chose to highlight those suffering and forgotten on his first day in the race. It’s that that wasn’t the first time he’d visited. He’d been there before — even though it’s not in his Congressional district — visiting the hospitals and clinics and shelters in the area. Kneeling down to speak with people that are sick and crying out for help. He treated them with dignity. With humanity. With empathy. 

I am supporting Joe in this race because he is the kind of leader Massachusetts needs to move us forward. He knows our status quo was broken long before Donald Trump took office. He knows it is too often Black and Brown places and faces that get left behind. He knows that you cannot represent people in the highest halls of power if you do not show up and meet them where they are.

We need Joe Kennedy in the US Senate to meet this moment — will you stand with me and chip in to his campaign?

I know a thing or two about taking on incumbents. I won my seat by taking on a politician who had done some good work but who had gotten too comfortable with the status quo. And when I dared to challenge him I heard it all. Why are you running? Wait your turn. What’s the rush? Slow down.

My generation is tired of being told to stay in the sidelines while our future is on the line.

We need change. We need leaders who will be on the right side of history.

And that’s why I’m with Joe.