What's Up With the Heart?

I have gotten a lot of comments about it, people (who I know want the best for me) say the heart makes me look “weak” or “girly”. Ok... The girls I know are tough, but I get you typically don’t see hearts in State Senate campaigns. 

Here’s the deal, our world is pretty closed off right now, people choose sides and shut their minds to those with different perspectives. This is one facet of human nature, but it is also human nature to want to be seen, heard and understood. And, the best way to understand someone is to listen with an open heart and open mind, putting assumptions and judgments aside.

As a clinical psychologist, I have made this my life's career. One of my favorite parts of this campaign has been door-belling because it has given me a chance to meet so many new people, getting to learn about both their joys and their concerns. We live among so many kind and intelligent humans that just want a more peaceful world where all people are treated with dignity and respect– that's the crux of it. It is not about party affiliation and who you voted for, it's about quality of life, how we treat each other, and our hopes for a better future. This common thread energizes me and it is why I chose a heart symbol for my campaign.

And let’s be clear, just because I choose to lead with heart, doesn’t mean I lack the tenacity and grit needed to be Whatcom County's State Senator. Running as a Republican at this point in history is very challenging, especially in Western Washington where my opponents try to liken me to our president and where I’ll be up against people in the State Senate that have done things one way for so long they can’t see that things aren't working anymore. 

I have the grit to push back and challenge leadership to do better: To stand up against more taxes and regulations that make life more expensive and too difficult for businesses to thrive. I have the grit to demand accountability with our tax dollars. We need to put funding where it matters most, giving taxpayers the best value for their dollar. This includes fully funding education; ensuring our community can access the healthcare and health services they need; allocating money for the infrastructure needed to support housing; and ensuring Whatcom County has the funds to build water management infrastructure that protects our community from flooding and drought.

At a time when people can't afford "extra," my goal is to limit new taxes and make sure our tax dollars are used efficiently.

So here's my answer to the people who worry the heart makes me look soft: they've got it backwards. It takes more strength to lead with an open heart than a closed fist. Anyone can shut people out, write off half the electorate, or govern by talking points. It takes real grit to sit on a porch with someone who disagrees with you, actually listen, and still show up the next day ready to fight for policies that help them too.

That's the kind of State Senator I intend to be: heart open, backbone strong. Whatcom County doesn't need more politicians drawing lines and creating division. We need someone willing to knock on every door, hear every concern, and have the tenacity to turn that understanding into results that build bridges. That's what I'm asking for your vote to do.