Jake Auchincloss is the man for the moment

In times of crisis, minority communities often suffer to a higher degree. It is for that reason that we need strong leadership in the many unprecedented crises that have plagued the United States. Jake Auchincloss is, without question, that leader. His work as a Marine not only showcases a love of country, but also a willingness to serve. It also gives him a unique perspective, as his experience wielding a weapon of war in a battle zone is the backbone of his comprehensive and necessary gun plan. The weapons Jake used in a war zone do not belong on our streets, and Jake knows that. His calls to demilitarize the police in the midst of a national reckoning on race stems from his experience serving, and is a much-needed proposal in this day and age.

His plan to aid and support our expansive life sciences industry is necessary and commendable. As the leading state in so many fields, including medical research, Jake’s plan will ensure job growth in the midst of COVID-19 and allow Massachusetts research to better serve the world at large. His transportation plan brings to light the need for green transportation, bringing together the crucial issues of a transportation infrastructure in desperate need of revival and the existential threat of climate change. In a time when local aid and funding has been slashed, when communities need it the most, Jake has voiced and made clear his firm commitment to directing federal aid to local budgets, to protect education, infrastructure, and community services. His unwavering support of women’s reproductive rights is no better proven than by Representative Pat Haddad’s endorsement, as she is the lead sponsor of the ROE Act in the Massachusetts legislature.

As a 22-year-old, Councilor Auchincloss made a tone-deaf comment on social media that could have caused offense and pain to the Muslim community to which I belong, but he has made clear the regret he now feels. He has demonstrated what politicians too often fail to: an ability to grow. People make mistakes. It is foolish to believe that the candidate you support, whoever they may be, will never make a single mistake. Meanwhile, other candidates seized on the pain Muslims may have felt to advance their own candidacies. Jesse Mermell and Dave Cavell, among others, criticized Jake’s past statements, only to end their statements along the lines of “this is why you should vote for me!” Calling out hatred for hatred, as some candidates did, is admirable. Calling out hatred and turning it into a campaign pitch is shameful, tasteless, and reprehensible. In our leaders, we must look for those who continue to grow rather than those who weaponize pain for their political ends. I know Islamophobia, and I know Jake Auchincloss. In my many experiences with him, I do not have a single reason to believe that he is Islamophobic.

The Democratic party nominated Vice President Joseph Biden yesterday, and they will nominate Senator Kamala Harris as Vice President tomorrow. I, like the Councilor and the Democratic Party, fully support the Vice President and the Senator in their bid to oust the demagogue in the Oval Office. It is our responsibility as citizens in the Massachusetts Fourth to send someone to Washington who has the VP’s back, who believes in principled bipartisanship and who can work with President Biden, Democrats, and Republicans.

In moments like this, uncompromising ideologues are dangerous for the health of our country and for the prospect of unity. When the divisions run this deep, we need to elect those who stick true to their values but allow us to move forward. We need someone tested in crisis, someone who unifies people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and someone with the ability to stick to their principles but still collaborate across the aisle to move this country forward. There is only one candidate who checks all the boxes: Jake Auchincloss.

From nationwide organizations like VoteVets to esteemed newspapers like the Boston Globe, from the President and Vice President of the Newton City Council in the North to Representatives Haddad, Fiola, and Schmid, Mayor Paul Coogan, and Mayor Jon Mitchell in the South, voters, leaders, and officials across the Massachusetts Fourth agree: Jake Auchincloss is the man for the moment. I am too young to vote, but I hope you do – for Jake Auchincloss on September 1.

Partial contents of this article ran as a Letter to the Editor by the author in the Sharon Advocate last week