Why I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States

I have never before felt greater urgency in a political campaign, not even in my own for Lt.Governor. This election gives us the opportunity to rebuild America’s middle class and restore stability at the core of our democracy. And we must, if we are to realize both economic and national security, for all.

That is why I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States.

He will be a bold, experienced and visionary leader with judgment unfettered by big campaign donors. He is someone who understands that incremental politics brought us to this moment where our economy has been reshaped to favor the wealthiest few, and locked us into inequality.

Bernie hears the clamor from business owners for a health care system that will free them to focus on creating jobs. Bernie knows that there is no global security without human security, and would reposition our nation on the center of a global stage with unimpeachable moral authority.

We can have government we can afford and restore our faith in the process when we face the issue of money in politics head on. Bernie Sanders is the only candidate for president today powerfully committed and ready to face this biggest of threats to the world’s oldest democracy.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a National Guard soldier and veteran of two tours in Iraq, and member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, resigned her position as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee so she would not have to remain neutral in this race. Although I was a Midwest co-chair for Senator Clinton in 2008, today I join Tulsi and countless others with complete confidence that Bernie Sanders’s foresight and judgment, in matters both domestic and global, will restore the strength of our great nation and prosperity accessible to all.

Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton was the first woman elected to her position in 2002. She is the co-founder of Issue One, a nonprofit whose goal is to reduce the influence of money in politics.