I've said from the beginning that decency is on that ballot this November – that we need leaders who can heal our country and bring us together as Americans.

That's one of the reasons why during Tuesday's debate, I took the time to lay out some of the polarizing and divisive comments my opponent has made on social media.

My opponent? She took a page right out of the Trump playbook and said I was making it all up. Leaving aside the fact that I have the screenshots, the very next day after calling me a liar, she went on the radio and called me un-American.

I'll be honest with you – it's disheartening that in 2020, we have candidates who believe their best bet to score some votes is by questioning the patriotism of their opponents.

She even doubled down on her accusation, claiming that I sided with the "Sandinistas in El Salvador" to work "against the interests of the United States."

Um, no. First of all, the Sandinistas were in Nicaragua – not El Salvador. But more importantly, I'm proud of my work in El Salvador. I helped expose the fact that brutal human rights abuses were being committed by the U.S.-backed Salvadoran military. It was a revelation that led to a major shift in U.S. policy, and it brought our actions in the region closer in line with our values.

I love my country. That's why I've dedicated my life to fighting for the ideals we stand for – freedom, justice, and equality under the law.

But to me, patriotism is not just "my country, right or wrong" – it's about fighting to make this country better so we can love it all the more. America is a living idea – a constant struggle for a more perfect union. There is always room for us to do better.

So here's my promise to you:

I'm going to keep fighting fiercely to defend our shared values. And I'll do so with humility, and I'll always remember that whether we agree or disagree, we are all Americans first.

If you're with me and want to help us spread that message during our final get-out-the-vote efforts, consider chipping in $13.

In less than two weeks, we take a huge first step toward restoring decency in government, together.