Joel Payne

I appreciate that Democrats can have differences over single payer healthcare, free childcare, pausing data centers and other issues @FrancescaHongWI fought for. But caricaturing and labeling candidates based on a few statements is not a politics I believe in. I have known Fran for years and remain proud to have supported her. She is a daughter of Korean immigrants, a single mother, a small business owner of a restaurant who struggled. As an Asian American, she had to fight for a seat at the table of our party and country. Nothing was handed to her. As a son of immigrants, I grew up watching the Ohio State Michigan football game during Thanksgiving weekend. We did not have a lot of extended family here since both of my parents are immigrants so we would gather with other Indian American aunties and uncles for Thanksgiving in Lancaster, PA at the Sudans home for years. It was one of my favorite childhood memories. I believe in an America where we extend each other some grace, where we try to understand each other's stories. I am all for spirited debate on issues and even electability. But I categorically reject the idea that the Democratic party must play the same name calling games as Trump, reducing people's identity to labels for political games. This country cries out for moral leadership. We want to rise above division. Let us start to provide it.