Patty Lewis: My experience can serve the KC community best in the Missouri Senate | Opinion

Advocating for people has been a lifelong calling even before I sought public service. I spent more than 20 years as an intensive care unit/critical care nurse and health care executive. As an ICU nurse, I cared for the most vulnerable patients in the hospital. As an executive, I was responsible for leading teams and identifying solutions to improve patient safety for health care organizations across the world. I am currently the only registered nurse serving in the entire Missouri General Assembly.

A lot of leaders offer promises, but I offer results. As state representative for the 25th House District, no issue has been too big for me to tackle and no constituent problem too small for me to address. I would continue to serve just as diligently in the state Senate.

Staying engaged with the community is important to me, and that is why I regularly hold town hall meetings, send weekly state Capitol reports and have an open door policy. Constituents know I have their backs. Recently, one of my volunteers knocking on doors in Waldo could barely get a word out before a voter recalled that I intervened for him with a state agency to resolve a difficult family situation. Helping constituents would continue to be a priority for me in the Missouri Senate.

Serving as a state representative for the past four years, I am proud of what I have accomplished. My colleagues and I successfully stood up to Republicans and their attempt to destroy the citizen initiative petition process — and because of that, Missourians will have the chance to overturn our state’s total abortion ban this November. As a member of the superminority, I have sponsored several bills that have been signed into law addressing our state’s mental health crisis, extending postpartum care and increasing access to health care. I also have consistently stood up for workers and marginalized communities.

As state senator, I would continue fighting for reproductive rights, working to prevent gun violence and standing for Kansas City. I believe voters will end Missouri’s abortion ban in November, and that Republican politicians will turn around and try to undo the will of the people. I would be the first registered nurse to serve in the state Senate, and having that voice to protect reproductive rights is critical.

I am the only candidate in the race who has been elected to office and served in Jefferson City for the past four years. With that experience, I have established relationships on both sides of the aisle and in both legislative chambers. While I can reach across the aisle on issues that are important to Missourians, I do not hold back when calling out the majority party on its hateful agenda. I will be able to get to work on Day 1 for our families.

I’m proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by our nurses, teachers, firefighters, labor organizations, The Kansas City Star, Planned Parenthood Votes, Everytown for Gun Safety, PROMO Missouri and Sierra Club because they know my record of accomplishments and trust me to continue advocating for them and you.

You won’t see my campaign going negative. I do not think personal attacks are necessary or effective. I am proud to run on my record. There is more work to be done, and that is why I’m running to be your state senator. It would be an honor to continue to serve and represent you, and to earn your vote on Aug. 6.

Patty Lewis represents District 25 in the Missouri House of Representatives. She is a candidate for state Senate for District 7.