John,

Earlier this week, a local Democratic party leader supporting my opponent admitted to a reporter that he wants to get US knocked off the ballot, so he is challenging our legitimate petitions without reason —even though we submitted nearly double the amount of required signatures.

This is just the next step in a months-long effort by a small group of party bosses who are trying to clear the field for their preferred straight male candidate. (They earlier told me that a gay man couldn't win an election in the North Country — that I wasn't "macho" enough.)

Here’s the thing. I grew up here. My parents still run a small business here. I know the issues facing our communities through and through. And honestly, to say a gay man can’t win here is just insulting to the North Country residents who helped pass marriage equality and have supported me my entire life.

Yet these leaders think they — not the voters — should be the only ones who get to pick the candidate who will go up against Stefanik. This is undemocratic and flies in the face of one of our campaign priorities: protecting our democracy from any threats.

My question to them is simple: What are they so afraid of?

My mission since we launched this campaign is clear: I’m here to defeat Elise Stefanik, restore honorable leadership grounded in the North Country, and protect our democracy.

Since the first day of our campaign, we have proved not only that we can complete that mission but that we are best positioned to do so. After all, I’m the only candidate in this race who is from this district, whose family has operated a small business in this district for generations, and who has never worked for or with Trump. I’ve traveled to every county in this district, knocked on hundreds of doors, and talked with countless voters.

I’m proud of the support that has made us the frontrunner. I’m grateful to the party members who work hard to ensure fairness in this process, and to the thousands of people who signed our petition to get on the ballot, contribute to our campaign, follow us on social media, and believe in our mission.

Please, will you rush $5, $10, or whatever you can afford to our campaign right away to show we have the North Country’s support and won’t tolerate these attempts to circumvent democracy? I can’t win this election without you.

Thank you, sincerely,
Matt