Thomas Massie

Rep. Thomas Massie was defeated in the May 5 Republican primary not because of his conservative record but because he bucked Washington politicians too many times. That may be a funny thing to hear from me, given that we were competing for the same office. But it’s important for leaders to speak their minds and to vote as they see fit, as Massie did.

That’s why I urge voters to consider which candidate will remain an independent champion for Kentucky and which one would do whatever the Washington establishment wants for itself.

Kentucky families want results, not loyalty tests

Gas and food prices are skyrocketing. The war in Iran will cost American taxpayers an estimated $1 trillion. The economy is stagnating.

These issues aren’t Republican or Democratic. They’re kitchen table issues that we’re all facing. And I’ll tell anyone who asks: If I win in November, I will vote with Republicans when they’re right, and I will vote with Democrats when they’re right. And if I don’t do that, you can throw me out of office in two years.

What about my opponent? Will he vote his mind, or will he fall in line with Washington bosses? Allow me to answer. No. Washington party bosses recruited Ed Gallrein because he pledged his loyalty to them.

He beat Massie after outside groups spent ungodly sums to silence him. They made it the most expensive Republican congressional primary in U.S. history.

Independence is still a political strength

I decided last year to run for Congress because I disagreed with Massie’s votes against the bipartisan infrastructure bill, fighting the opioid crisis and many others that I think hurt everyday Kentuckians.

"Mr. No" Massie is out, and a yes-man is trying to take his place. I don’t want a yes-man representing our district when it comes time to choose between Kentuckians and Washington Insiders.

I’m running because I believe we are missing opportunities to get inflation under control, create jobs and help our families thrive. As a full-time professional, a mom, a wife and a volunteer, I know how tough it is to raise a family today. And I know that the federal government can shift its focus back to helping families thrive.

Today, it seems as if everything Washington is doing serves a handful of multibillionaires rather than people back home. It’s wrong, and we can change it.

Melissa Strange is the Democratic nominee for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.