John,

Growing up right here in Western PA, I learned the values we all know: hard work, service, love of country. Those values shaped who I am.

Stepping up after this country was attacked on 9/11 was an easy choice for me because of those values.

I went off to the Naval Academy at 17 years old to serve my country. I was commissioned as an active-duty naval officer, and led Americans at sea and in Iraq.

Two deployments at sea and a tour on the ground in Iraq shaped who I am and my worldview, and strengthened my love of country and my love of Western Pennsylvania.

I learned a simple lesson in the Navy: "Ship, Shipmate, Self." You put the mission first, you put others before yourself. I hold that same belief today, and it guides my work in Congress.

But in Washington, I see politicians acting, instead, like a bunch of corrupt, corporate bootlickers.

You’ve got the VA Secretary saying the planned firing of 80,000 VA workers won’t hurt veteran care. You’ve got Elon Musk accessing *your* private data and calling Social Security benefits a “Ponzi scheme.” You’ve got the Trump administration push to slash Medicaid and hand more tax giveaways to the ultra-wealthy.

They’re gutting the programs hardworking families rely on, turning their backs on veterans, and raiding government resources—all to line the pockets of billionaires and corporate elites.

John, I don’t know about you, but those aren’t the values I was raised with in Western PA.

I learned to fight for what matters, to stand by the people who have my back, and to never walk away from a fight that needs fighting. And I’m sure as hell not backing down now.

I will always stand up for Western PA, but I need you with me. Help me keep up the fight for your rights and our democracy by making a donation today →

Thank you,

Chris