On a personal note...
I became a bomb technician because I wanted to save lives and serve a cause greater than myself. I nearly gave my own life for that — I lost both my legs and a finger when a roadside bomb detonated beneath me — and have known more heroes than I can count who sacrificed their own lives for others.
I remember the day I was injured very clearly. What I remember most, though, isn’t the bomb detonating. Instead, it’s hearing my fellow soldiers yelling “EOD is hit, EOD is hit.” When that bomb went off, they didn’t care where I came from, how much money I had or what my political views were. They rushed to my side because we were all fighting for something bigger than ourselves. Their selfless acts of courage are the only reason that I am still here today.
I remember them every day that I have the honor to serve in Congress. It’s because of them and for them that I fight endlessly to improve care for our nation’s veterans, whether they are Republicans or Democrats. When a veteran — or anybody — comes to me and asks for help, I fight for them with every damn thing I have. And it would never occur to me to ask them which party they belonged to first.
My opponent, Pam Keith, feels differently. She has called all Republicans “racist,” “traitors,” “white supremacist,” and “stupid.” Does anybody seriously believe she would be willing to help a Republican that needed it? Would any Republican actually feel comfortable asking somebody for help that carries such hatred in their heart?
That’s why I’m humbly asking for your support in this extremely important election so that I can continue to serve our community — and when I say that, I mean our whole community. We cannot afford to have a representative that belittles, demeans and hates every one of her Republican neighbors!
On that note, I would greatly appreciate it if you would make a commitment to ensuring service before self leadership. If you’re at all able, pitching in any amount today will greatly help my team meet our budget requirements to be successful on election day!
