One of the races I have been very involved in this year is Kirsten Gillibrand for Congress, in New York's 20th Congressional District. The incumbent is John Sweeney and as important as it is to defeat him and get new leadership in for the district, Kirsten Gillibrand is the person to replace him.

Why Kirsten? Kirsten is a strong women, she is an effective leader that will ensure that the voices of the 20th Congressional District will be heard in an a Congress that will be most likely democratically-controlled House in 2006. Her style may be different from the incumbent, but her passion is real and she has an ability to get down and talk to the people and realize their concerns.

I have met and seen Kirsten on many occasions. She may be a political outsider, choosing to seek elected office after working professionally for many years as a corporate lawyer, but she really knows how to talk to families and farmers alike. She shares their concerns and clearly enumerates how she will change the direction of policy in Washington, DC.

Why do we need a change? The reality is the national Republicans have lost touch with the people, and we need a change. To be sure many of their critiques of our policies of the past were legitimate, but now it's a time for a change. We need to go back our basic values that hold together our country—such as fairness for farmers, affordable health care, and economic policies that create meaningful work while protecting the integrity of our earth.

These are the kind of things that the 20th Congressional District needs. Too many people in small towns are suffering from the misguided national policies that hurt the people that need the most help. There is no reason that we can't have a vibrant farm economy or towns with local businesses except for policies that subsidize large businesses. There is no reason why most of the district has been a continuing dumping ground for GE's toxic waste.

Kirsten is running in a tough district for a Democrat to win. Yet, this is the year that we can win this district back if we all work hard enough. Kirsten is the candidate that will best represent this district and do the best for their people. Make sure to talk to your county leader for Gillibrand and work to change Congress.