Kentucky’s working families are being crushed by the rising cost of housing, groceries, child care, and other basic necessities, while Frankfort has offered little more than culture wars and tax cuts for the wealthy. I will advocate for a different approach; policies focused on the household budget, not the donor list. That means lowering everyday costs, making it easier to work and care for a family, expanding truly affordable housing, and strengthening the support systems families like mine rely on, from child care to healthcare. When we invest in working families so everyday people can finally breathe, our communities will thrive.

Working people are the backbone of Kentucky. Every school day, every shift change, every hospital round, and every delivery depends on the labor of people who show up, work hard, and make this state strong. The policies coming out of Frankfort should honor that reality, not ignore it. Kentucky deserves leaders who understand working families and what it means to struggle with demanding schedules, shrinking support systems, and a legislature that looks out for owners, not workers. We deserve a government that does not treat us as expendable. We deserve safe workplaces, fair wages, and the right to organize for better conditions. Supporting workers is not a fringe position. It is how we create a healthy economy and a stronger Kentucky together.

Kentucky’s economy grows when we support the people who actually live and work here, not just the largest corporations. Economic development should strengthen communities by investing in small businesses, protecting apprenticeships and skilled labor, and supporting industries that provide stable, long-term careers. I will push for growth that brings good jobs to local communities, balances common-sense use of Kentucky’s natural resources to lower costs with real stewardship of our land and water, and stops the endless cycle of tax breaks for the well-connected. A strong economy is a working-class economy; where those of us who do the work share fairly in the wealth they create, providing our families with real opportunities to plan for the futures we can only dream of today. When we build our priorities around working people instead of trickle-down promises, the whole state moves forward.

Public schools are the heart of our communities and Kentucky voters have repeatedly sent the message to Frankfort: “Hands off of our schools!” Kentucky families deserve a representative that hears and understands that message. Frankfort hasn’t adequately funded our public schools since 2008, choosing instead to pass tax cuts that mostly benefit those who least need it. Politicians trying to privatize or undermine public education are putting ideology over our children, and I won’t let that stand. I will fight to keep our taxpayer dollars where they belong: in our classrooms at funding levels that actually meet their needs. Strong public schools mean stronger paychecks for Kentucky graduates and stronger communities. Every Kentucky kid deserves a safe, well-resourced school that believes in their future. No exceptions, no excuses.

Every Kentuckian deserves quality healthcare close to home, whether they’re seeking preventive care, emergency care, mental health support, or reproductive care. No one should have to drive hours, skip checkups, or put off filling a prescription because they can’t afford it or there’s no provider nearby. In many rural areas, hospitals are not only a lifeline for care, but also among the largest employers; when they close, the entire community suffers both physically and economically; losing jobs, services, and stability all at once. I will fight to protect Medicaid and Medicare, keep our rural hospitals open, support clinics and community health centers, and restore the freedom for women and families to make their own medical decisions. Healthcare is not a privilege; it is dignity, safety, and survival.

Veterans should never have to struggle for the care and stability they earned. That means making sure they can see a doctor when they need one, get timely mental health and addiction services, and access job training and placement that values the skills they brought home from service. I will work to expand access to mental health care, strengthen partnerships with local employers, and support housing and community programs that keep veterans and their families on solid ground. As the wife of a veteran, I’ve seen both the pride and the challenges that come after service, and I know we honor their sacrifices by actually showing up for them; in our laws, our budgets, and our communities.

Libraries, parks, and community centers are lifelines for families, children, and seniors in every corner of Kentucky. They offer free internet, help with resume and job applications, after-school programs as safe places for kids to play and learn, and trusted spaces for seniors to stay active and connected. I will defend these resources from funding cuts and political attacks by culture warriors because they are essential to safe neighborhoods, strong families, and real opportunity; especially for working families who don’t have extra money or time to replace those services. A thriving community is one where we have places to learn, gather, and grow together. Where public spaces belong to us, the public – not to a political agenda.