John,

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in a brighter future for our nation, and today we honor his legacy. While time has passed since the tragic death of Dr. King, the lessons he preached continue to resonate throughout our nation to this day. He fought for peace. He fought for justice. He fought for a world where people were not judged by the color of their skin, but for the content of their character. 

Dr. King once said, “Give us the ballot, and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights.” He knew that voting was a critical part of racial justice, and it is a fight we are still battling to this day. Communities of color across the nation are still having their vote suppressed, whether it be through gerrymandering, restrictive voting regulations, or unclear information about how to participate in our democracy. 

Today, on MLK Day, I double down on my commitment to voting rights. In the North Carolina General Assembly, I fought against unfairly drawn district maps. In Congress, I will support nationwide voting reforms to make it easier to vote and give every eligible American the opportunity to have their voice heard. 

I encourage you to look back on the inspirational work of Dr. King today and reflect on what we can do throughout our communities to continue strengthening his legacy. 

Be well,

Wiley Nickel

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