I used to think that no matter our political positions, when it came to supporting democracy and standing against authoritarianism, Democrats and Republicans were united. "Politics ends at the water's edge," was the phrase that described it, an underlying commitment that as Americans we stood together in opposition to autocratic regimes who threatened our national security and that of our allies.

Now, I'm afraid that's no longer the case.

The radical right's drift toward authoritarianism has been apparent ever since Donald Trump was elected with help from the Russian government. We saw Trump say he trusted Vladimir Putin, that he believed Putin's denial of Russian interference in the 2016 election more than he believed the unanimous conclusion of U.S. national security officials that the Russians helped his campaign. We saw Trump's submissiveness in Putin's presence and his eagerness to lift sanctions against Russia.

We've seen Trump display similar admiration for other dictators. He said President Xi of China was "strong, sharp, and powerfully focused" in fighting Covid and praised him for making himself China's ruler for life. Trump even said that some day the U.S. might "give that a shot." He expressed his "love" for North Korean despot Kim Jong-un and elevated Kim's stature by treating him as a major international leader rather than the isolated laughing stock he had become.

If this love of authoritarianism was Trump’s alone, we'd have less cause for concern, But it's not just Trump.

Fox News commentator and radical right mouthpiece Tucker Carlson has become a darling of Russian state TV with his recent pro-Russia propaganda. He has questioned why the U.S. should support democracy in Ukraine and defend against Russian aggression. Russia loves him so much that their state television network repeatedly plays clips of his broadcasts questioning U.S. support for Ukraine as evidence of backlash against the Biden Administration's positions.

Our current member of Congress, Andy Harris, has a long record of backing authoritarian leaders in Eastern Europe. He has spoken in support of Hungarian dictator, extreme nationalist, and anti-semite Viktor Orbán, including after the European Parliament censured Hungary for cracking down on freedom of the press and academic freedom and politicizing its judicial system. When the U.S. government decided that it was in America’s interest to challenge Orbán and support democracy and a free press in Hungary, Harris opposed U.S. efforts to do so. Harris reportedly has traveled to Hungary to show support for Orbán -- not unlike Carlson who recently visited Hungary, was given VIP treatment, and has widely praised Orbán.

And it's no secret that the radical right is supported by extreme nationalist, anti-semitic, and neo-Nazi paramilitary groups in the U.S., many of whom organized and participated in the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol and insurrection to overturn a democratic election, replace the rule of law with mob rule, and take over the government.

Folks, where there's smoke there's fire. Many on the right have embraced authoritarianism, have shown their support for mob violence to install it, and are encouraged by their leaders to go further. Such encouragement comes not only directly by people like Trump, who has pledged to pardon the Jan. 6 rioters if he's reelected and threatened nationwide protests should he face legal action, but also by Republican politicians like Harris by their opposition to investigations to hold the rioters and insurrectionists accountable as well as by their silence.

This is why I decided to run for Congress. We are at a critical time. The radical right has embraced authoritarianism, is spreading a Big Lie about widespread election fraud, and is weakening our democratic safeguards so that it can capture and retain power.

We cannot let this happen.

Please help me protect our Constitution and commitment to the rule of law. Please help me protect the country that I served in the Foreign Service for decades. Please contribute to my campaign to restore decency and preserve the democratic institutions that I helped to promote here and overseas. Please help me retain a Democratic majority in Congress so that we can protect voting rights and continue to hold accountable those who plotted to destroy our government.

I can beat Andy Harris, but I need your help. Chip in to my campaign today and let's defeat authoritarianism in this country together.

Thanks,

Dave