I’m running for reelection because it is clearer than ever that during the multiple crises we currently face Mainers in the First Congressional District deserve a leader who will fight for them every day.

As the global pandemic sweeps our state and nation, Mainers are concerned about their health and economic futures. They are worried about how they will afford their health care premiums and prescription drug costs during a public health crisis. They are worried about paying their student loans and heating bills, especially if they’re out of work and the federal government is playing games with their unemployment relief. They’re worried about finding better paying jobs and trying to make ends meet. These are the everyday issues that keep me fighting for Mainers in Congress.

Our country is also experiencing a social justice crisis – a pandemic caused by generations of systemic racism that is being fueled by the words and policies coming out of the White House. Hateful policies that target immigrants, women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and low-income people have no place in our America, and we must do everything we can to stand against these attacks and hold those in power accountable. We must reform our policing systems and seek justice for all those who have been harmed by it.

Affordable health care

The current global pandemic has again made abundantly clear the need for affordable, universal health care for all Americans. As millions have become sick and millions more have lost their jobs, many have lost their health insurance when they need care the most. This system we use to deliver health care to our citizens in America is broken, and it’s long past time for that to change.

I believe fundamentally that access to affordable high-quality health care is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy few. The Affordable Care Act was a major step in the right direction, helping control costs, expanding access to millions of people, and ensuring protections for people with preexisting conditions. As the Trump administration continues to wage war on the ACA, I remain steadfast in my resolve to protect this important program while fixing any issues and improving on the law to ensure more Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care.

That’s why I also believe the time has come to pass Medicare for All. With a single-payer system, we can address unreasonable out-of-pocket costs and confusing administrative hurdles, and ensure that every American, no matter their age, income level, disability, or health history, can access the care they need when they or their families need it.

A decent day’s pay for an honest day’s work

We need an economy that works for everyone, especially now during a record economic downturn with massive job losses that are disproportionately affecting low income people and people of color the most. We must ensure that all workers, especially essential workers and those working on the frontlines, have the personal protective equipment they need to do their jobs safely. We must have an economy that ensures anyone who works hard at a full time job is paid a livable wage. We need policies that support working families, like access to affordable child care, and paid sick and family leave. And we need to support the right of workers to form unions that will fight for safe and fair working conditions.

Fair taxes

We need a tax code that asks the rich to pay their share, rather than giving them more massive tax breaks on the backs of working families. After Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a massive tax break for corporations and the ultra-wealthy, companies used these profits and huge windfalls to pay their CEOs even more and to buy back stock, instead of hiring more workers or raising pay. Meanwhile wages have been stagnant for years while costs, especially for health care, continue to rise rapidly. That combination is wreaking havoc on household budgets across Maine. People who were once able to support a family or save a little for retirement are now forced to choose which bills they can pay each month.

Stewardship of land and waters

Maine’s natural resources are not only precious, they are the backbone of our economy. Our farmers, our fisherman and lobsterman, our tourism industry all depend on the protection of the lands, woods and waters for which Maine is rightly known around the world.

Yet there is perhaps no bigger challenge facing our country and our world today than rapid climate change which is putting these incredible resources at serious risk.

We must quickly transition our power and transportation systems from dirty fossil fuels to clean, job-creating, renewable sources like wind, solar and hydropower. I know that Maine can be a worldwide leader in renewable technology, and that Mainers will be among the biggest beneficiaries if we take on the challenge. I am opposed to opening our coastal waters to offshore oil drilling, and to the Trump Administration’s attack on the laws protecting our clean air and water.

Quality educational opportunities

Every child in Maine and across the United States deserves access to a world-class education. A child’s zip code or what her parents do for a living must not limit the opportunities she has in life.

But our public education system in this country unfortunately falls far short of that vision. Too many schools don’t have the resources they need to meet their most basic needs. In the richest country in the world, dedicated teachers routinely reach into their own pockets for needed supplies. Too many kids are coming to school hungry, unable to learn.

Universal quality education, tailored to meet the rapidly changing needs of tomorrow’s workforce, is the absolute best way we have to break the cycle of poverty and to ensure America continues to lead the world for years to come.

Higher education is also facing a crisis as tuition costs soar with student loans the second largest source of consumer debt behind mortgages. We must act — both to make higher education more affordable and accessible, and to make student loan payments more manageable for those who already have them.

Chellie Pingree has lived on the offshore island of North Haven, Maine, since she was a teenager. On North Haven, she has been an organic farmer, raised three children and started two successful small businesses. After serving as the town’s tax collector (a job no one else wanted), she became the chair of the local school board and eventually was elected to the State Senate from a predominantly Republican district. In 2008, she was elected as the first woman to represent Maine’s First District in Congress.

During Chellie’s time in Congress, Democrats have been in both the majority and the minority — but whether or not her party controls Congress, and despite a highly partisan atmosphere, Chellie has found a way to get things done. Chellie currently sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where she has fought to expand opportunities for working families, protect our veterans, and worked to expand access to health care.

Throughout her career of public service, the lessons she learned in those early days on North Haven have always been her guide: Be accountable to your neighbors, and always use your common sense.

Learn more about Chellie: https://www.chelliepingree.com/meet-chellie/

Chellie believes that the corrupting influence of unlimited money in politics must end and supports efforts to enact real campaign finance reform and overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision.

Her campaign has always been built on grassroots donations from supporters like you. If you’d like to make a gift to her campaign, please click here.