My grandfathers both served in the Navy in World War II, John, and they instilled in me the values of perseverance, service, and sacrifice.

I wanted to be just like them. So I joined the Naval Academy when I was 17 years old – just over a decade after they began allowing women to serve.

At first, my male classmates underestimated me. I didn’t earn their respect until they found out I had a 4.0 and was one of the first women ever accepted into the Naval Academy’s Nuclear Program.

As one of the few women serving in the Navy, it was easy to get discouraged. Sometimes I wondered if I had made the right choice.

But despite the adversity I faced, I spent 20 years in the Navy. Today I know that my continued service is not a choice, but a duty to our nation and our values as Americans.

I’m not done serving my country – we still have a lot of work to do. That’s why I’m running for Congress for a third term.

But we have an uphill battle ahead of us, and to continue to do that work – I need your help. Will you chip in $5, $10, $25, or whatever amount makes sense for you, to my campaign today? I have a critical FEC deadline at the end of the month, and I really can’t afford to fall short.

Thank you,
Elaine