My fellow citizens of District 25,
As I stand before you today, I see more than just a crowd. I see the heart and soul of our community. I see the factory worker worried about her job security, the small business owner striving to keep his doors open, the teacher dedicated to nurturing our children's minds, and the retiree concerned about the legacy we're leaving for future generations.
For too long, our diverse voices have been reduced to whispers in the halls of our state capitol. For four consecutive election cycles, we've cast protest votes, thinking we were sending a message. But let me ask you this: Has that message been heard? Have we seen the changes we so desperately need?
The hard truth is that your protest votes, while well-intentioned, have left us shouting into the wind. Our roads remain potholed, our schools underfunded, our economy stagnant. We've been standing on the sidelines, watching as other districts score victory after victory in the game of state politics.
But today, I'm here to offer you a different path. A path where your voice doesn't just echo in an empty chamber, but reverberates through the corridors of power. A path where 'I win' truly means 'YOU win.'
To my Democrat friends and neighbors, I know what you're thinking. You're worried that a vote for me might mean compromising your values. But I'm here to tell you that it's quite the opposite. By electing me, you're not abandoning your principles - you're amplifying them.
Imagine, if you will, a District 25 where your progressive values aren't just written on protest signs, but are actively shaping state policy. Picture a future where your commitment to social justice, environmental protection, and economic equality isn't just a dream, but a reality being forged in the crucible of the state legislature.
When I win a seat at the table in the majority, your voice wins too. When crucial decisions are being made about education funding, I'll be there, fighting to ensure our schools have the resources they need to nurture every child's potential. When debates rage about workers' rights, I'll be your champion, ensuring that the dignity of labor is respected and rewarded. When discussions turn to healthcare access, I'll be your advocate, pushing for policies that ensure no one in our district has to choose between putting food on the table and filling a prescription.
This isn't about Republican versus Democrat. It's about District 25 versus the status quo. It's about transforming our community from an afterthought to a priority in state politics.
Let me paint you a picture of what this could mean for us:
Imagine driving down Wornall Road, not dodging potholes, but cruising on smooth asphalt, passing bustling shops and cafes filled with happy patrons. Envision our schools, not struggling with outdated textbooks and overworked teachers, but thriving centers of learning with state-of-the-art technology and inspired educators. Picture our parks and natural areas, not neglected and polluted, but vibrant green spaces where families gather and wildlife flourishes.
This isn't just a dream. It's the tangible reality we can create together if we have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
I know I'm asking for a leap of faith. But consider this: What has a decade of protest votes achieved for us? Have we seen your progressive values reflected in state policy? Have we witnessed the positive changes we've been crying out for?
By choosing me as your representative, you're not just electing a person - you're electing a conduit for your values, your concerns, and your aspirations. You're ensuring that when the majority sits down to make decisions, District 25 isn't just a dot on the map, but a powerful voice in the room.
To those who worry that I might forget my roots once I'm in office, let me be clear: My commitment to this district and its values is unwavering. I pledge to hold regular town halls, to maintain an open-door policy, and to be transparent about every vote I cast. Your input won't just be welcome - it will be essential to my decision-making process.
'I win, you win' isn't just a campaign slogan. It's a solemn promise. A promise that every victory I achieve in the state legislature will be a victory for you, for your family, for our entire community. It's a commitment that your progressive values won't be left behind, but will be at the forefront of every negotiation, every debate, every vote.
The choice before us is clear. We can continue down the path of protest and symbolic gestures, watching from the sidelines as other districts reap the benefits of representation. Or we can seize this moment, this opportunity to effect real change. We can choose to have a voice - your voice - in shaping the policies that impact our daily lives.
As we stand at this crossroads, I ask you to choose hope over cynicism, progress over protest, and results over rhetoric. I ask you to believe in the power of your vote to not just send a message, but to create lasting change.
Together, we can write a new chapter for District 25. A chapter where every citizen's voice is heard, where all our community's needs are addressed, and where we prove that when we unite behind a common purpose, there's no challenge we can't overcome.
Thank you, MO House District 25.
I'm Steven Bright and I ask for your vote on November 5th.
