Pamela, I'm Mondaire Jones. I'm the Congressman-elect for New York's 17th Congressional District. I'm a Harvard-educated lawyer. More importantly, I'm an openly gay, Black man who grew up in Section 8 housing and on food stamps. My grandfather was a janitor, and my grandmother cleaned homes. I was raised by a single mom who had to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table -- even while on government assistance. There are many well-educated people leading our country today, but far too few working-class people and far too few members of the Black and LGBTQ+ communities in positions of power. In fact, in the 244-year history of the United States, there's never been an openly gay, Black member of Congress. That changes in January when I get sworn in. It's something I never thought I'd see when I was a kid. This November, voters elected many candidates who, like myself, come from backgrounds that aren't "traditional" for politicians. We have a mandate to deliver for our communities and for working Americans -- communities like the one I grew up in. Will you join me in the fight to level the playing field for working-class Americans? Please add your name to my petition today to let me know you're fighting alongside me. Our movement is about re-imagining what's possible. It's important to elect people who grew up in working-class homes because when we have more people in office for whom policy is personal, we get better policy outcomes. We need more members of Congress who have lived in public housing, not just paid a visit to it during a campaign stop. We need more members of Congress who have been on food stamps or gone without having health insurance. These are not platitudes to me; these are lived experiences. I'm ready to get to work to pass an urgently needed COVID relief package and important legislation like Medicare for All and a Green New Deal that will give working people opportunities. But we can only create the progressive future we deserve if we all fight together. So please, add your name to let me know you're in this fight to give working-class Americans a chance to thrive, not just survive. Thank you for your support, Mondaire Jones |
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