Why I'm Running for Senate

This year, Republicans have a chance to correct the party's mistakes and push it back on the right track. And as a U.S. Senator, that's what I will do.

I am running for the United States Senate in New Hampshire as a Republican.

I do so with great pride because for me the word “Republican” is more than just a political label.

To me if you’re a Republican, it means you stand for the very principles which made America great, principles such as freedom, individual rights and tolerance.

The Republican Party has championed these core American values since the days of Abraham Lincoln, who taught our nation that every citizen regardless of race or creed or skin color must be treated equally.

Yet elements within my own party have a different vision of what it means to be Republican.

They are more about imposing moral values than individualism, more about allowing government to dictate decisions on issues that should be a matter of personal conscience.

They are certainly entitled to their views and debate is healthy for our party.

Yet I know where I stand in this debate: I stand for the party’s traditional values and principles; I stand for individualism and for the rights of individual citizens.

I am willing to fight for these ideals, not only for the sake of my party, but for the sake of my country.

Now more than ever, America needs true Republican values.

That’s why I am using my campaign for the United State Senate to reaffirm and promote those values.

As a Republican candidate here’s what I believe:

• I believe in protecting the right of women to choose. I am proudly pro-choice.
• I believe in placing the power of the individual over the power of government.
• I believe in free markets, free speech and free assembly.
• I believe in fiscal conservatism.
• I believe government must be smaller, less costly and less intrusive.
• I believe America needs a strong, well-equipped militarily to fend off both foreign invasions and terrorist attacks.
• I believe in the family.
• I believe too much government interference and regulation in businesses and in our individual lives, stands in the way of progress and creativity.

Of course, these are ideals the vast majority of Americans support.

They are the ideals, in other words, we Republicans can use to unite Americans and to become what we truly are – a majority party.

Yes, admittedly it’s sometimes difficult to live up to such lofty principles.

And sometimes we Republicans make mistakes. Sometimes, for instance, when in government, we spend too much; sometimes we tax too much; sometimes we don’t treat individuals with the respect they deserve.

When that happens we need Republicans who will have the courage to point out our party’s errors and who will seek to push it back on the right track.

As a United States Senator that’s what I will do.

I will go to Washington and stand for the principles I believe in.

That means I will vote for lower taxes and less spending even if it means displeasing the party’s establishment.

That means I will also proudly speak out for tolerance and for individual freedom even if it means offending a faction within my party.

Why is any of this important? Why does it matter?

It matters because the stakes in our next election will be high. In the primaries, Republicans will be determining the future of their party; in the general election Americans will be determining the future of their country.

That’s why if you support my vision, if you believe in freedom, if you believe in a party that stands up for the individual, you should consider supporting my campaign.

Together we can make for a better America, a better New Hampshire, and a better Republican Party.