A clarification regarding my campaign for Congress

The Bradenton Times recently reported that I intend to serve only one term in Congress if elected. That was a misinterpretation of the point I was making, and I'd like to clarify my position.

Months ago, I said that I would never compromise my principles simply to hold onto political office. If refusing to be bought by billionaire donors, giant corporations, or party insiders meant I became a one-term congressman, then so be it. I will never sell out the people who sent me to Washington.

But let me be equally clear: I hope to earn the privilege of serving as long as the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District believe I'm fighting for them and delivering results.

As someone who spent nearly 30 years as an Emmy Award-winning investigative television journalist, I believe facts matter. My job was to tell the truth, ask the tough questions, uncover the facts, and hold the powerful accountable. That's exactly what Washington needs more of—and it's exactly what I'll do.

I'll fight from Day One to protect and strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; lower costs for working families; begin building a healthcare system that guarantees healthcare as a right—not a privilege; protect Florida's air, water, wetlands, and natural places; and get big money out of our politics and our elections so government works for people instead of powerful special interests. And I'll keep pushing until we've broken the grip of billionaire donors and giant corporations and built a government that works for ordinary Americans again.

My campaign has reflected those values from the very beginning.

I am the only Democrat in this race who earned a place on the ballot by collecting more than 2,600 signed petitions instead of paying the qualifying fee. I didn't find my way to the ballot by writing a check. I earned it—l one conversation at a time. My campaign wasn't built in back rooms. It was built on front porches—listening to people, hearing their concerns, and earning their trust.

I'm not running for Congress to build a political career. I'm running because our government has been bought by billionaire donors, giant corporations, and the well-connected, while working families have been left behind.

The people—not special interests—will decide how long I serve. As long as they continue to place their trust in me, I'll keep fighting to build a government that works for ordinary Americans—not just the wealthy and well-connected.

I didn't get into this race to become a member of Congress. I got into this race to make a difference. If the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District give me that opportunity, I'll fight every single day to earn the privilege of serving them.

That's the promise I made when I started this campaign. That’s the promise I'll keep.

Glenn Pearson
Democratic Candidate for Congress
Florida's 16th Congressional District