The Cost of Our Democracy:

Why the Fight for the People Must Continue Now More Than Ever

The dust has finally settled, and while the results of this election wasn’t what we fought for, my heart is full of gratitude. For months, we traveled to all corners of district, meeting people in living rooms, resturants and church halls who are hungry for change and honest leadership. To every volunteer and supporter, to my friends my family and my critics: thank you! This journey was never just about a seat in Congress; it was about the values we carry in our hearts. However, we cannot ignore the reality of why we are here. I didn’t just lose to an opponent; I was targeted by a political machine designed to silence the will of the people.

Stepping off the Capitol steps and onto the campaign trail was an extension of the oath I took years ago. I spent my career protecting the physical home of our democracy, and I ran to protect its soul. On January 6th, I saw what happens when truth is sacrificed for power. I entered this race because I believe the people’s house should be occupied by those who have stood on the front lines for our country, not by those who have mastered the art of political maneuvering or, worse, those who are hand-picked by the highest bidder.

This election provided a sobering, infuriating lesson: our democracy is currently for sale. When special interest groups and Super PACs pour tens of millions of dollars into a single race to distort a record and drown out a message, it is a direct assault on the voters. These groups don't care about our community; they care about their own bottom line. It’s why I was so proud to have the endorsement of End Citizens United, an organization that understands that until we get the "big money" out of politics, the average citizen’s voice will always be a whisper against the roar of corporate spending.

The sheer volume of outside money used to buy this election is a threat to the "one person, one vote" ideal. When a few wealthy donors can spend more than an entire grassroots movement, the playing field isn’t just tilted, it’s a next to near impossible obstacle to overcome. We cannot have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people if the people are being outspent 10-to-1 by anonymous interests. This isn't just about me losing a race; it’s about the dangerous precedent that a seat in Congress can be purchased like a piece of real estate.

Now that the primary is over, the work of representation falls to those moving forward. I want to see Adrian Boafo succeed, and I hope that he remains steadfast in representing the actual residents of the district, not the special interests that flooded the airwaves. The people deserve a representative who answers to them, not to the PACs that cleared the path. I challenge Adrian to be a voice for the voiceless and to fight for the systemic reforms we need to ensure that the voters and only the voters decide our future.

As for me, I am far from defeated. I’ve faced much darker days than a lost election, and if my time as a police officer taught me anything, it’s how to stand your ground when the pressure is highest. I may not be headed to the House floor as your representative, but I am not going anywhere. Titles are temporary, but duty is permanent. The fight to reclaim our democracy from the grip of special interests is just beginning, and I am honored to remain in the trenches with you.