The Real Path Forward:
Values, Equality, and the Democratic Message
I spent 422 days running as the Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 84th House District—a grueling yet enlightening journey that revealed both the strengths and challenges we face. I’ll reflect on my personal campaign experience in an upcoming series, but today I want to focus on a critical issue that continues to shape our party and our future.
As a local candidate, I wasn’t just talking about my platform—I was representing a broader vision for our state and country. I wasn’t just asking people to vote for me; I was also speaking for those at the top of the ticket, like Sherrod Brown, who embodies Ohio’s values, and Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, whose leadership offers hope for a brighter future. From defending Issue 1 to explaining the importance of electing fair-minded justices to the Ohio Supreme Court, I was out there ensuring voters understood what was at stake—not just for our district, but for the entire nation.
The point here is simple: Local candidates are the backbone of our political movement. We’re accessible, we live in the communities we serve, and we have the most direct connection to voters. My campaign wasn’t just about me—it was about standing up for values that matter. As a trans woman running in a deeply conservative district, my very presence challenged the status quo, signaling the fight for equality and inclusion.
But in the wake of the election, I’m seeing some troubling analysis coming from Democratic pundits1, particularly those trying to pin the blame for our losses on issues related to transgender rights. This narrative needs to be addressed head-on. Many of these pundits have consistently gotten it wrong. In 2016, they were wrong when they predicted a Hillary Clinton victory. In 2022, they misread the “red wave” that never materialized. And now, they’re wrong again by placing the blame for our losses on trans rights.
Here’s the truth: The problem isn’t our values. As a Democrat and a proud trans woman, I stand firmly by the values of freedom, equality, and justice. These are the ideals that have driven my life and political work. I’ve spent my career fighting for marginalized communities, and I’ll continue to do so, regardless of which party holds the power.
The Democratic Party doesn’t have a policy problem—we have a messaging problem. For too long, we’ve failed to present our policies in a way that resonates with voters. While policy is important to those of us who live and breathe politics, it often fails to connect with voters in a meaningful way. As my friend and former Republican Christopher Gibbs often points out, voters are “values voters.” They want to know what you stand for. And if you don’t articulate your values clearly, they’ll make their own assumptions, often applying the worst-case scenario to who you are and what you believe.
We, as Democrats, need to shift our messaging. We have to stop focusing on the minutiae of policy details and instead communicate what we stand for. Voters need to hear that we are fighting for liberty, freedom, and equality. These values must be at the heart of everything we do. And, crucially, we must be willing to extend those values even to those who disagree with us.
In recent months, the GOP has weaponized anti-trans messaging to dominate the political conversation. But they haven’t won because trans rights are an electoral loser—they’ve succeeded because Democrats have failed to effectively communicate the stakes of these issues. We’ve been forced into a defensive position, spending our time explaining issues like bathroom bans and gender-affirming care, rather than addressing the economic and social policies that actually matter to voters.
The GOP’s goal is to flood the public conversation with misinformation about trans issues, distracting us from the real problems that everyday people care about—issues like healthcare, jobs, and the cost of living. By focusing on the divisive and sensational misrepresentations
of trans rights, they’ve created an environment where Democrats are so preoccupied with defending ourselves that we’re not able to discuss the solutions that will improve people’s lives.
It’s time to fight back. We need to tell stories—real stories—of people hurt by anti-trans legislation, just as we’ve done with abortion bans. But that can’t be where we stop. We must also focus on the issues that matter most to voters: affordable housing, good jobs, protecting social security, and ensuring access to healthcare. We can’t let the GOP hijack the conversation and keep us from talking about what people really need.
Democrats, we cannot afford to turn our backs on marginalized communities. We cannot abandon the values of equality and inclusion just to appeal to a base that doesn’t believe in them. The path forward requires us to stay true to our principles, while also adapting how we communicate them to the voters who need to hear it most.
In the end, we need to reclaim the conversation. Our values of freedom, equality, and justice will guide us. And while we may face setbacks, we cannot afford to let up. The fight for a better, more just future is worth every ounce of effort. And together, we can make it happen.