We all know: The rent is too damn high. Local businesses can't afford to pay the wages needed to cover their employees rent, let alone their business' rent. Working families and small business owners are falling out of the middle class. This situation isn't sustainable and requires urgent attention.

The cost of health, home, and auto insurance has exploded and is no longer affordable for working families. Leaving million of Americans without an adequate safety net. No one should risk falling into destitution from accidents and disasters outside of their control. We deserve an affordable insurance system that protects us from worst case scenarios.

We are lucky to have several excellent hospitals in our district. But, with a district that covers over 10,000 square miles, many of us still live too far from affordable quality care. We need to invest in healthcare that is accessible to all.

In our district, the nearest four-year college or university can be two hours or more away. There are excellent two-year colleges nearby that deserve the opportunity and resources to expand. No one should have to choose between pursuing a four-year degree or staying in their community.

We wouldn't be the world's sole superpower without the blood sweat and tears of American military men and women. These exemplary Americans risked their lives and gave their minds and bodies to protect our democracy and defend our unique way of life. We owe them a lifetime of gratitude and that's what I promise to deliver.

As a business owner, I know we can't spend more than we make. We can't continue to leverage our children's futures to pay for tax breaks and wasteful spending. I will fight to eliminate our national debt and balance the federal budget.

Hard working Americans deserve to retire in dignity. We made a promise that if you put in your time and pay your fair share, you will have security in retirement. This promise is non-negotiable. We need to properly manage these programs to balance their budgets and ensure that all Americans have the benefits they deserve after a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

Parents and students deserve safe schools and quality education. We need to pay teachers and support staff wages commensurate with the value they create, and provide funding that ensures quality instruction and safe environments for the next generation of Americans.

We used to build things in this country: The Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge. It's hard to admit, but we've fallen behind the rest of the world with high speed transit—and Americans are at a competitive disadvantage because of it. We need to streamline approvals, decrease costs, and expedite permitting to build the innovative public transit that Americans deserve.

Joshua trees are only found in the desert that many of us call home. This unique species inspires art, music, and culture, and generates untold ecological and human value. We should fight to preserve that value while also supporting the needs of hard working families who are trying to earn a living in our desert environment.

We've had the right to bear arms since the founding of our nation. Whether it's for hunting, self defense, or sport shooting, it's part of our American way of life. As gun owners, we take our responsibility to safely store and handle our weapons seriously. We should continue to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and individuals who have demonstrated an inability to handle them responsibly.