ICE may indeed have legally authorized duties within our government - kidnapping children, violently suppressing peaceful protesters, performing arrests and raiding homes without warrants, torturing detainees, and murdering civilians are not among them. I condemn those illegal, cruel, wicked activities and anyone who participates in them, and I encourage you to join me in peacefully doing likewise. In the immortal words of Edmund Burke: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

While working at the 87th legislative district office in the leadup to the 2020 election, I spoke with numerous constituents and non-constituents alike who insisted there was widespread election fraud.

Every one of those claims I heard was entirely unevidenced.

I never spoke with anyone who witnessed fraud themselves, knew someone who had, provided proof of fraud, or who was willing to speak with the FBI, attorney general, or local bureau of elections. They merely repeated unsubstantiated claims that fraud had occurred.

I don’t normally feel comfortable speaking in absolute terms, but I can say with near-total confidence that fears of widespread election fraud in Pennsylvania elections, both then and now, are unfounded. Don’t believe me - believe the staggering 43 court victories upholding the results of that election. So long as they retain demonstrable veracity, I commit to upholding the results of free and fair elections here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regardless of their outcomes.

Legalizing marijuana for individuals over 21 would not only act as a source of tax revenue, but would remove significant barriers to getting help. According to research on treatment barriers, fears surrounding the illegality of cannabis - including potential legal, professional, and social consequences - act as a significant barrier for individuals seeking assistance for cannabis use disorder. We can simultaneously remove that barrier and fund high-priority public services with one decision.