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PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Today I personally filed my Congressional campaign papers with the Kentucky Secretary of State as a Democratic candidate for congress in the Fifth Congressional District.
The reason I am running is not complicated. The Fifth Congressional District is currently listed as the most economically distressed district in the country. Hal Rogers has betrayed us. He has joined the Republican majorities in undoing numerous programs that the vulnerable neighbors in our district depend on. He has cast cruel votes to slash programs protecting the less fortunate. He cast the deciding vote in the big ugly bill to slash more than $800 billion from Medicaid, which will have the direct impact of worsening our rural hospital shortage. He has consistently voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act which has resulted in millions of Americans finally being able to afford health care. Rogers and the Republicans have never offered an alternative. Instead, they insist that giving another round of massive tax breaks to the billionaire class will solve all of our problems.
I intend to campaign on rural issues that include the expansion of healthcare access, the expansion of better internet access, expansion of educational opportunities, and to finally do something about the lack of cleaning drinking water in many of our communities.
Since I announced my candidacy on the Fourth of July, I have made more than 30 campaign stops and listened to the concerns of those impacted. What I have heard loud and clear is that our neighbors are truly fearful of the consequences of the Republican attacks on the less fortunate and are looking for a congressman who will actively resist these attacks and make life more affordable.
At this point is it fair to ask is the soon to be 88-year-old Hal Rogers capable of actively representing our district? Despite the House being out of session for more than 40 days, Hal Rogers continues to hide and has made virtually no campaign appearances. He is a prime example of why we need term limits.
It is my intention to offer the voters a real choice so that we can better days ahead
