Dear John,

You know me to be plain-spoken and to tell you the truth. Our campaign has been blocked from primaries by the Trump-led party bosses. 

This is not democracy — it’s just bullshit.

I decided to run for president because I couldn’t sit back and watch the country I love be stripped of every democratic principle we hold dear. 

We have a president who continually enriches himself in office, who held back aid to a foreign country so he could dig up dirt on a political opponent, a president who threatens our basic tenants of free speech. A president who DESERVED to be impeached and deserves to be removed from office.

When Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention, he was asked what sort of government the delegates had created and he answered, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

It’s up to us as American citizens to guard the Republic and uphold our Constitution.

The House did their constitutional duty by bringing forth Articles of Impeachment this year, but now Mitch McConnell has openly said he will run the Donald Trump impeachment trial “in total coordination with the White House.”

Again, bullshit. It’s no wonder everyday Americans are more distrustful of our elected leaders than ever.

I am running to regain the trust of the American people, to make sure we uphold the Constitution, and to work with Congress, no matter party affiliation to ensure that we get the people’s business done in Washington.

Be Brave this New Year and help me to raise the money we need to compete in Iowa, move onto New Hampshire and Super Tuesday to ensure that Donald Trump will not be our nominee.

Happy New Year!

Stay brave,
—Joe