Op-ed: This election is about values. It always has been.

The 2024 election has always been about values. It’s always been about more than one person. It’s always been about who we are and what we believe. And, as every New Hampshire voter knows, it’s always been about protecting our first-in-the-nation primary and the long American tradition that New Hampshire’s process represents.

It’s not about the name at the top of the ticket. Instead, it’s about the bigger picture: Do we want our children and grandchildren to have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote when they turn 18? Do we want them to have the freedom to be who they are and have the opportunity to thrive? Do we want to provide them with a properly funded, high-quality public education and fight against efforts to dismantle it? Do we want to have the freedom to make the very personal decisions about if, when, and how we grow our family? Or the freedom to choose our own books in the library? How about the freedom to live in safe, welcoming communities? And what about the security of fair wages, retirement with dignity, affordable healthcare, childcare, and housing?

The values that made Granite Staters show up to the polls on January 23, 2024, and write “Joe Biden” on the blank line at the bottom of the ballot still ring true. For me, the 79,100 Granite State Democratic primary voters, the 14+ million Democratic primary voters nationwide, and the millions more who will cast their ballots this fall, the only party that shares these values is the Democratic party. We owe it to our shared values to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this year.

It is with that in mind that I have worked tirelessly to ensure every vote counts – and that our trusted local election officials have the support they need to count every vote. As a member of the House Election Law committee, I have worked to protect our safe, secure, efficient elections while NH Republican politicians have spewed election denial conspiracy theories and tried to make it harder for you to cast your vote. And it is with that in mind that I have said countless times that this election is a choice between democracy and dictatorship. Because it is.

So, what has changed in the last few days? Everything and nothing.

As a district delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I am one of 25 elected delegates representing the voters of New Hampshire. NH delegates are a united team; we intend to honor the wishes of Granite State voters who delivered an historic primary victory to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

How? By supporting Vice President Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention and beyond.

One of the things I admire most about Joe Biden is the team he’s chosen to surround himself with during his presidency. Biden has welcomed fresh perspectives, diverse opinions, and worked to uplift the next generation of leaders.

It is therefore fitting that he would put the best interests of the country ahead of himself. In passing the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris as a next generation leader, Biden has shown what selfless service looks like.

As I campaign for State Senate in Concord, Bow and Hopkinton, voters have welcomed the idea of electing the next generation of leadership. It’s something we don’t often get to do, whether it’s for president, governor, or state senate. Based on the many conversations with community members, it’s clear Granite Staters will welcome the opportunity to coalesce around the next generation of leadership with Kamala Harris as our next President in November.