The Gig economy
To the Citizens of the 5th District, we need to have an honest conversation about the "Gig Economy." For many, the words "independent contractor" or "side hustle" aren't just trendy business terms, they are a survival strategy. The reality is that the cost of living in Massachusetts has spiraled out of control. Even for those with full-time jobs, the math often doesn't add up at the end of the month. We are seeing a historic shift in how Americans work: it’s reported that one-third of all citizens now have a side hustle, and for small business owners like me, that number jumps to nearly 50%.
Many of you have seen me out there lately, doing exactly that, delivering packages at the end of the day to maximize my workday. This year, I’m continuing that hustle into my busy season and through my campaign, and there is a reason for that. I am not independently wealthy. I don’t come from a family with money, and I don’t have a high-level job in politics where I can just coast while I campaign. I am in the same situation as the average American: I have to keep working while I run for office. I believe that you should be able to run for a legislative seat without being part of the elite, and I want to prove it. Too often, we see candidates who are either supported by deep pockets or are career politicians who spend their work hours campaigning instead of representing the people. I’m choosing a different path, working those 50 and 60-hour weeks to finance this vision myself, showing exactly how an average person steps up for their community.
Win or lose, my goal with this campaign is to inspire a new generation of "Average Joes" across the country to realize they don't need a massive bank account to have a voice. The gig workers, the freelancers, and the side-hustlers of this district will benefit massively from my broader proposals, whether it’s my healthcare plan that decouples insurance from a traditional job or my tax proposals that keep more money in your pocket. I feel the struggles of the gig economy firsthand because I am living them alongside you. I look forward to hearing your stories on the road and at the delivery hubs, because I know that my plans can help the people of this district exactly where they are, not where Washington thinks they should be.