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The System Won’t Change Itself.

Washington’s gotten too comfortable serving the rich and powerful while the rest of us are told to wait our turn.I’m running for Congress to fight for the people who actually make this country work—for our rights, for our planet, and for our future.We deserve better than politicians who chase photo ops, cozy up to wealthy backers, or treat public service like a stepping stone. We deserve someone who lives in our communities, knows our struggles, and shows up to fight for working families instead of themselves.These aren’t talking points. They’re a battle plan. Let’s get to work.

Introduction

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"Rebuilding Democracy from the Inside Out."

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Item 1

Institutions

<h3>11/20/2025: "Justice for the Powerless, Silence for the Powerful"</h3>Society is divided into two tiers—the wealthy and powerful, and everyone else.The fundamental difference between those two worlds is simple: accountability and justice mostly exist for people like you and me, not for them. The case of Jeffrey Epstein and the long list of people who enabled him is a constant reminder of just how unfair the world can be. The wealthy, the connected, the ones with endless resources—they were protected at every turn.But for me, it hits deeper than anger at corruption. It hits a place I wish didn’t exist, a place shaped by watching the impact of sexual assault on someone I care about. Someone whose life was split into “before” and “after” without their consent. When you’ve seen that kind of pain up close, you don’t read stories like Epstein’s with detachment. You don’t scroll past them. You feel them in your chest.The Epstein Files aren’t just a window into one predator. They’re a reminder of how easily survivors are dismissed, disbelieved, or ignored. That’s what stays with me. It’s the invisible weight survivors carry while the people who hurt them walk away with managed reputations and intact power.I’ve seen what that weight does over time. How healing is never a straight line and how unfair and isolating it is. Survivors must be strong just to exist in a world that doesn’t make space for their stories unless they can produce the “perfect” proof, which is something trauma rarely gives.So, when I think about the Epstein Files, I don’t think about politics. I think about survivors who deserved better. Survivors who still deserve better. Survivors whose pain isn’t a headline, but a life they now must navigate every single day.But what haunts me most is how many chances the world had to stop men like Epstein but didn’t. How many people looked away because it was easier. How many institutions chose to protect power instead of people. He didn’t even try to hide. The photographs, the flight logs, the emails, the videos—it was all out in the open.That’s what stays with me, that’s what hurts, and that’s why I speak up.Not because I’m running for Congress. Because I’ve seen what happens when nobody does.

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Working families are getting crushed while the wealthy get handouts. Every Marylander deserves a fair shot at a stable job, a home they can afford, and the freedom to breathe again. Let’s make that real.

Affordability

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2><ul><li>What is your position on Gaza? The violence in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;is genocide funded by the U.S. taxpayers. </li><li>Will you take money from corporate PACs? No, I won’t take corporate PAC money or contributions tied to corporate lobbying interests. I believe representation should be accountable to voters, not donors, and I won’t pretend you can serve both at the same time.</li><li>Is climate change real? Yes.&nbsp;Climate change is real, human-caused, and already harming Maryland. The question isn’t whether it’s happening, it’s whether we’re serious about responding with the urgency this crisis demands.</li><li>What does “abolish ICE” mean? ICE is a system built on family separation, fear, and punishment. Abolishing it doesn’t mean open borders. It means replacing it with a civilian-led agency focused on protection, processing, and accountability. Enforcement will target actual threats, not everyday immigrants and asylum seekers.</li><li>Will ending policies like 287(g) make communities less safe? No. In fact, it makes communities safer. Deputizing local police to enforce immigration laws scares victims and witnesses away from reporting crimes. Ending these programs restores trust and lets local police focus on real public safety priorities.</li><li>What about illegal immigrants and asylum seekers? They deserve fairness, due process, and a path to citizenship if they meet clear criteria. Work authorization, family unity, and community ties will be prioritized, not ignored. Our goal is to integrate people safely and humanely, not to punish them indefinitely.</li><li>Do you support Medicare for All? Yes.&nbsp;I care about delivering affordable, comprehensive care to everyone without people falling through the cracks.</li><li>What’s your position on abortion and reproductive rights? I’m pro-choice, period.&nbsp;I support full access to abortion, contraception, and reproductive healthcare, and I’ll oppose any attempt to roll those rights back or criminalize care.</li><li>Do you support gun reform? Yes.&nbsp;I support practical gun reforms like universal background checks and closing loopholes. These measures save lives while respecting responsible gun ownership.</li><li>Do you support LGBTQ+ equality and protections? Yes.&nbsp;As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I support full equality and legal protections, including access to healthcare and strong protections against discrimination and hate crimes. Equal rights aren’t optional.</li><li>Should members of Congress be allowed to trade stocks? No.&nbsp;Members of Congress and their immediate family members should be barred from trading individual stocks and required to place assets in blind trusts. Anything less invites conflicts of interest and erodes trust in government.</li><li>What makes you different from other Democrats? I’m not an establishment Democrat, and I’m not running to become one. I’m running to represent people who are tired of being told to wait while insiders protect each other. My loyalty is to the people of this district; not to leadership, donors, or institutions that refuse to change.</li></ul>

I want to hear what’s on your mind.&nbsp;This is a grassroots, people-powered campaign against millionaires and corporate interests. I'm relying on everyday people to propel this campaign forward. Working families are what made me start this campaign, and its working families that will carry us to victory.We’re in this together.If you are interested in talking to us, or want to help in any way you can, please give your information below and we will reach out to you. Please list your interests, your location, and what you are willing to do or learn, and we'll do the rest.We do our best to respond to every message, but with the volume we get, it might take a little time. If it’s urgent or time-sensitive, just note that in your subject line and we’ll try to get back to you faster.Reach out anytime—and let’s keep pushing for the change our communities deserve. Thank you for your support.

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<h4 style="text-align: center">For general inquiries: hello@ethanformd.com</h4><h4 style="text-align: center">For press inquiries: press@ethanformd.com</h4>To donate by mail: P.O. Box 68, Clarksburg, MD 20871Please include your employer and occupation if mailing a check.There is a $100 limit on cash contributions and a $50 limit on anonymous donations.

Events

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About

“Ending Corporate Welfare.”

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Economy

Endorsements and Pledges

Thoughts

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Affordability</h2>Life’s gotten too expensive for working people and Washington’s done nothing but talk about it. It’s time to take on rising costs, raise wages, and make the basics affordable again.<ul><li><a href="/2334b9c7-bb79-48f5-a460-8413f43efa3d#block-4430f8dc-e7c3-49fa-aa1e-b0ee45e3b94f">"Ending Corporate Welfare."</a></li><li><a href="/2334b9c7-bb79-48f5-a460-8413f43efa3d#block-64a4beea-6542-43a7-a7dc-2abc3627abfb">"The New American Labor Movement."</a></li><li><a href="/2334b9c7-bb79-48f5-a460-8413f43efa3d#block-5bb01309-145d-4065-b1bb-3716d0d0f7cd">"Healthcare for People, Not Profit Margins."</a></li><li><a href="/2334b9c7-bb79-48f5-a460-8413f43efa3d#block-6ed700f3-bfd1-431a-8bd0-37d0cda3d69f">"Rebuilding How Maryland Moves."</a></li><li><a href="/2334b9c7-bb79-48f5-a460-8413f43efa3d#block-ff07989f-7c73-498d-a6fc-8a72bbb120a0">“No More Free Rides for the Powerful."</a></li></ul>

"A Home Should Be Within Reach."

Housing

"Every Vote. Every Voice. Every Time."

Voting

News Post

“Healthcare for People, Not Profit Margins.”

Healthcare

"Strength Through Diplomacy."

Foreign Affairs

Check if you are registered to vote

Federal Election Commission

Maryland State Board of Elections

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

Resources

Accountability

Donate

<h2>How to handle donations on your website</h2>Run does not process donations directly on our platform, as is standard with most political and advocacy sites. Campaigns are often required to comply with reporting requirements, donation limits, and other regulations, so using a donation processor that specializes in serving campaigns is generally a good idea. Sign up with a donation processor and then on your Pages sidebar, click the Link icon on the Donate page and add the link to your donation page. Some common options for donation processing include:<ul><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ActBlue</a></li><li><a href="https://www.campaigndeputy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Campaign Deputy</a> </li><li><a href="https://goodchange.app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">GoodChange</a></li><li><a href="https://numero.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Numero</a></li></ul>

“The New American Labor Movement.”

Unions

"Protecting Disability Rights."

Disability

"Rebuilding How Maryland Moves."

Transit

"End the Cruelty. Stop the Fear."

Immigration

"Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Future."

Equal Rights

Maryland’s 6th District deserves a leader who won’t just talk about solutions but will fight for them—relentlessly and unapologetically.Too many in Washington serve corporate donors and political extremes instead of the people. That ends here. I’m running to take on the fights that matter—from protecting our freedoms and our planet to building an economy and democracy that work for everyone.These aren’t talking points; they’re a battle plan. Let’s get to work.

Issues Post

<h2>The System Won’t Change Itself.</h2>

Affordability

Accountability

Community

<h2>This is a flexible editing area</h2>Use the toolbar above to format your text as well as add images, lists, and hyperlinks.

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Issues

News

"Our Planet, Our Responsibility."

Climate

While too many Democrats play it safe, our communities are in crisis. We don’t need future promises, we need policies that address the real problems facing Marylanders right now. These challenges are here. They’re in our neighborhoods. And they demand solutions, not slogans.That’s why I’m running.We’ve seen what happens when politicians avoid hard choices and surrender before the fight even begins. Progress isn't handed to us. It's fought for by the sweat of everyday people, pushing forward and refusing to back down.It's time we demand what we've earned, rather than settle for what we're given. Let's build a future that's more than just a dream.Let's demand action. Let's demand change. Together.

Message

Government should answer to the people, not hide from them. That means tougher ethics rules, transparent campaign finance, and independent oversight that keeps Washington honest.

From headlines to happenings on the ground, here’s the latest on our campaign and the conversations shaping Maryland’s 6th.

In the News &amp; Around the District

News

Our campaign is about standing up for the values that make Maryland strong, but we can't do it without your support.

Together, we can fight for what matters to Maryland.

<h3>No More Waiting.</h3>

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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Community</h2>Stronger communities build a stronger country.&nbsp;From our neighborhoods to our schools, from our unions to our town halls, we do best when we look out for one another. I’ll fight to invest in local infrastructure, education, and public services that bring people together instead of driving them apart — because real progress starts from the ground up, not the top down.<ul><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-cbb6836b-28a9-456a-b704-caf3b22d49d4">"Putting Families First."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-64d1c57f-1cd9-44fd-8e21-8e11480e5974">"Protecting Disability Rights."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-4c4925b6-3f83-430b-8713-ed7e9a602f2b">"A Home Should Be Within Reach."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-ae0e5ee4-dfa3-48db-b018-351d309bc169">"Delivering Opportunity Through Public Education."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-6fa921a5-c952-48b6-a076-9fd559c213e4">"Our Bodies, Our Rights, Our Future."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-6fa49a2b-b342-44cd-be6c-7f91933b1d76">"End the Cruelty. Stop the Fear."</a></li><li><a href="/61f90eff-a170-4615-a85c-4c0d9cc5264c#block-922a4a2c-1199-43e6-a7b1-c482ae410b3f">"Our Planet, Our Responsibility."</a></li></ul>

"Delivering Opportunity Through Public Education."

Education

Affordability. Accountability. Community.

"Fix the System. Serve the Veterans."

Veterans

Community

Born

Raised

Married

Children

Party

Education

About Ethan

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/37af997b-5cda-4dc8-813c-65b69519fd74/0352ff2e-b19e-4623-a39f-58bd54b2bfd7/0352ff2e-b19e-4623-a39f-58bd54b2bfd7.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2366%2C3312&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" variant="framed"><h4>I’m running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District because Washington keeps failing the people it’s supposed to serve and too many politicians are more interested in managing optics than delivering results.</h4>I was raised around public service. I grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia, where my mom taught at Virginia Tech and my dad worked for the Department of Social Services. From the time I could walk, I learned that integrity isn’t something you talk about it’s something you practice.As a student at Virginia Tech, I witnessed the 2007 campus shooting that took 32 lives. I saw what happens when leaders fail to act, hide behind procedure, or avoid hard decisions. That’s why I don’t have the luxury of treating public safety, accountability, or human life as abstract concepts.After college, I moved to Montgomery County, Maryland, and spent the last 15 years working inside the federal government ecosystem as a consultant. When systems weren’t working, I was part of the teams brought in to fix them. I’ve worked across Medicare, the FDA, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping untangle broken systems and make public services actually work for the people who depend on them.I’ve seen government succeed when leaders take responsibility, own the outcome, and stay focused on results instead of excuses. I’ve also seen it fail when protecting turf, avoiding blame, or preserving power matters more than serving the public. Those choices have real consequences: delayed care, broken systems, and people left waiting while institutions argue with themselves. That’s the difference between governing and posturing, and I’ve spent my career on the side that fixes problems and delivers.Today, I live in Clarksburg with my wife, Courtney, our three daughters and more cats than I’m willing to admit. This is my home. These are the communities that shaped my values and the people I’m fighting for.I’m not running to climb a ladder, make myself popular, or play it safe. I’m running because this district deserves representation that’s honest, consistent, and willing to confront power even when it’s uncomfortable.

Biography

"Putting Families First."

Families

Community is what holds this country together. It’s our schools, our small businesses, our neighbors looking out for each other. When we invest in our communities, we rebuild trust and shared purpose—one neighborhood, one family, one generation at a time.

Campaigns move fast — and this is where you can keep up. From breaking news and media coverage to updates from the trail, this is your hub for everything happening in and around the campaign. Follow along as we fight for what matters and build momentum across Maryland’s 6th District.

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Accountability</h2>Government’s supposed to work for the people, but instead it only seems to benefit the lobbyists, insiders, and the rich and powerful. Accountability means earning trust back by showing that government can be honest, effective, and on the people’s side again.I’ll fight to root out corruption, expose waste, and bring real transparency to how Washington spends and decides.<ul><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-5f75fafc-bf5c-4a8e-b4b5-80ffc041dea4">"Strength Through Diplomacy."</a></li><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-5f75fafc-bf5c-4a8e-b4b5-80ffc041dea4">"Promoting a Culture of Responsibility."</a></li><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-bcfb7a4e-0c27-4dbb-8dfe-b092dbcde5e8">"Fix the System. Serve the Veterans."</a></li><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-f2a88ec3-b32c-4b52-b5f1-8784357aff3c">"Protecting Tax Dollars and Restoring Trust."</a></li><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-4f6c2d5e-181a-4383-ba2d-08dd01c87e6c">"Every Vote. Every Voice. Every Time."</a></li><li><a href="/c7b3a6bd-e3c6-49bf-b9c8-b303ff9c5818#block-0e526244-f2f2-41fc-8739-ec7f9d23ce62">"Rebuilding Democracy from the Inside Out."</a></li></ul>

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No Billionaires. No PACs. Just Us.

Unions, PACs, and organizations endorsing the campaign.

Organizational Endorsements

CALIFORNIA NURSES

AMERICAN DIABETES

1199 SEIU

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Endorsements

Events Post

These pledges are public commitments about who I’ll fight for and who I won’t answer to. Each one exists to create real accountability, keep corporate money out of our democracy, and make it unmistakably clear that my decisions are driven by people, not profit. I don’t sign pledges lightly. If my name is on it, I mean it and I expect to be judged on whether I keep it.

Pledges

Pledges

Contact

"Protecting Tax Dollars and Restoring Trust."

Fraud

“No More Free Rides for the Powerful.”

Taxes

"Promoting a Culture of Responsibility."

Gun Control

Ethan Wechtaluk is running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District—focused on affordability, accountability, community, and real results.

Ethan Wechtaluk for Maryland

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Ethan Wechtaluk is running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District—ready to fight for what matters and deliver real results.

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I'm pledging to you that I will not keep any money raised throughout the course of this campaign.

This Campaign Belongs to the People

Housing is more than a place to live — it’s the foundation for opportunity, stability, and family security. Yet across Maryland, too many families are being priced out of their own communities. Skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and rising mortgage costs have made homeownership feel out of reach for millions of working people. That’s not sustainable — and it’s not acceptable.I know that struggle personally. Despite working hard my entire adult life, I’ve never been able to afford to buy a home. Like so many Marylanders, my family rents — not because we want to, but because the system is stacked against working families who are just trying to get ahead. I’ve seen how housing insecurity doesn’t just impact where you live — it affects your stability, your savings, and your sense of belonging.We need a housing policy that works for everyone — renters, first-time buyers, and long-term homeowners — and one that builds stronger, more connected communities in the process.I’ll fight to make housing affordable and sustainable by:<ul><li>Expanding affordable housing development&nbsp;through federal incentives and partnerships with local governments and nonprofits.</li><li>Increasing support for first-time homebuyers&nbsp;by expanding tax credits and down payment assistance.</li><li>Protecting renters from predatory practices&nbsp;and preventing large corporations from buying up single-family homes and pricing out working families.</li><li>Investing in rural and small-town housing&nbsp;to make sure every community has access to safe, affordable places to live.</li><li>Strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)&nbsp;and other proven programs that expand supply while protecting affordability.</li><li>Reinvesting in public infrastructure — roads, bridges, broadband, and public transit —&nbsp;to connect communities, lower commute times, and attract economic growth.</li><li>Promoting sustainable, climate-resilient development&nbsp;that reduces energy costs and protects communities from flooding and extreme weather.</li><li>Expanding funding for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs&nbsp;so every Marylander has a safe place to call home.</li></ul>A fair economy starts with affordable housing and reliable infrastructure. We can’t build a stronger future if working families can’t afford to live where they work. It’s time to make housing stability — not speculation — the foundation of our economic growth.

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Affordability: Building Homes, Strengthening Communities

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Today I released a statement responding to recent comments by my opponent. Maryland’s 6th District deserves honesty, accountability, and leadership that meets this moment.

Our Response to Representative April McClain Delaney’s Recent Baltimore Banner Interview

Our veterans have sacrificed everything to protect the freedoms we hold dear — and they deserve a country that honors that sacrifice not with words, but with action. Too often, politicians praise veterans on stage and then turn their backs on them when the cameras are off. That ends here.I come from a family that understands service. My paternal grandfather was a Flying Tiger in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and my maternal grandfather served as a Marine through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their legacy taught me that patriotism isn’t about slogans — it’s about responsibility.We owe every veteran the dignity, care, and support they’ve earned. That means:<ul><li>Fully funding and modernizing the VA&nbsp;so veterans can access timely, high-quality care without bureaucratic delay.</li><li>Expanding mental health services and suicide prevention programs, including peer counseling and community partnerships.</li><li>Ensuring veterans have access to affordable housing and ending veteran homelessness&nbsp;once and for all.</li><li>Streamlining benefit claims and appeals&nbsp;so veterans aren’t left waiting years for what they’re owed.</li><li>Protecting GI Bill benefits&nbsp;and expanding access to education and job training for veterans and their families.</li><li>Investing in transition programs&nbsp;that help service members successfully reenter civilian life and find meaningful careers.</li><li>Expanding community-based care and rural outreach&nbsp;so veterans in small towns and remote areas can get the support they need close to home.</li><li>Increase support for military spouses and families&nbsp;through career assistance, childcare, and mental health resources.</li><li>Improve coordination between the VA and Department of Defense&nbsp;so medical records, benefits, and care follow service members seamlessly from enlistment to civilian life.</li><li>Holding the VA and contractors accountable&nbsp;for waste, abuse, and mismanagement — because veterans deserve results, not excuses.</li><li>Improving care for women veterans&nbsp;and ensuring equal access to reproductive and mental healthcare.</li></ul>We made a promise to those who served: that we would have their backs when they came home. It’s time to keep that promise — not with speeches or symbols, but with real action and lasting results. Because we can’t just say “thank you for your service” — we have to prove we mean it.

Our veterans have sacrificed everything to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and they deserve our unwavering support. We will fight to improve veteran care, strengthen mental health services, and ensure our heroes get the resources they need to thrive after their service.&nbsp;

Accountability: Keeping Our Promise to Veterans

Ethan Wechtaluk joins Halitics with Hal Ginsburg to talk about the challenging campaign ahead and the important issues within Maryland's' 6th District.

Ethan Wechtaluk Takes on Multimillionaires Delaney & Trone in Western Maryland

Our democracy only works when every voice is heard and every vote is counted. But right now, powerful interests are trying to make voting harder, not easier — because they know that when more people participate, they lose. From gerrymandering to voter suppression, the attack on democracy isn’t theoretical — it’s happening in real time.Free and fair elections shouldn’t be a partisan issue — they’re the foundation of the American experiment. We can’t defend democracy abroad if we’re letting it decay at home.As your representative, I’ll fight to strengthen and protect the right to vote at every level by:<ul><li>Passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act&nbsp;to restore protections gutted by the Supreme Court and ensure equal access to the ballot box.</li><li>Passing the Freedom to Vote Act&nbsp;to establish national standards for early voting, mail-in ballots, and automatic voter registration.</li><li>Making Election Day a national holiday&nbsp;and expanding early and weekend voting so working people can actually participate.</li><li>Ending partisan gerrymandering&nbsp;and implementing independent redistricting commissions to keep politicians from choosing their voters.</li><li>Ensuring independent, nonpartisan election administration&nbsp;so politicians can’t manipulate how votes are counted or certified.</li><li>Protecting election workers&nbsp;from threats, harassment, and political interference.</li><li>Strengthening cybersecurity for election systems&nbsp;and ensuring every vote is backed by a verifiable paper ballot.</li><li>Restoring voting rights for returning citizens&nbsp;who’ve served their time — because rehabilitation should include the right to rejoin democracy.</li><li>Cracking down on dark money and corporate influence&nbsp;that drown out the voices of everyday Americans.</li><li>Overturning Citizens United&nbsp;and enacting strict limits on campaign spending to return power to voters, not billionaires and PACs.</li><li>Investing in civic education and participation programs&nbsp;to rebuild trust in democracy and empower young voters to make their voices heard.</li></ul>Voting is the cornerstone of freedom — and it’s under siege by those who fear accountability. But democracy isn’t something we inherit; it’s something we have to defend.I won’t stand by while bad actors try to rig the system or silence voters. Every voice matters, every vote counts, and I’ll fight like hell to make sure it stays that way.

Accountability: Every Vote Counts, Every Voter Matters

America’s strength has always come from those who came here seeking a better life. From the steel mills to the classrooms to the tech corridors, immigrants have built this country — and they continue to power our economy, enrich our communities, and strengthen our democracy.But for too long, our immigration system has been broken — driven by fear, politics, and cruelty instead of fairness, humanity, and common sense. We can have secure borders&nbsp;and&nbsp;a system that treats people with dignity. Those goals are not in conflict — they’re part of the same American promise.As your representative, I’ll fight to build an immigration system that reflects our values and strengthens our country:<ul><li>End the 287(g) program&nbsp;and other local–federal partnerships that turn police into immigration agents, sow fear in communities, and divert resources from real public safety.</li><li>Rein in ICE and Border Patrol abuses&nbsp;through independent oversight, accountability measures, and transparency in enforcement practices.</li><li>End the use of private immigration detention centers&nbsp;that profit off human suffering and have long histories of abuse and neglect.</li><li>Create a clear, fair path to citizenship&nbsp;for undocumented immigrants who contribute to our economy and communities.</li><li>Protect DREAMers and DACA recipients&nbsp;who grew up in America and deserve the chance to build their futures here.</li><li>Reform our asylum and refugee process&nbsp;to be humane, efficient, and consistent with international law.</li><li>Invest in smart border security&nbsp;that uses technology and resources responsibly — not wasteful walls or political stunts.</li><li>Ensure farmworkers, care workers, and essential laborers&nbsp;have fair wages, workplace protections, and pathways to legal status.</li><li>End family separation policies&nbsp;and ensure every child in our care is treated with dignity and compassion.</li><li>Protect immigrant communities from racial profiling and discrimination, and restore trust between local law enforcement and the people they serve.</li></ul>Immigration isn’t a threat to America’s future — it’s the foundation of it. We can secure our borders without sacrificing our humanity, and we can uphold our laws without abandoning our values.My own family’s story is proof of that promise. My great-grandfather came to this country in the early 20th century as an undocumented immigrant. He didn’t have wealth or privilege — just determination and a belief that hard work could build a better life. He worked tough, thankless jobs, raised a family, and set in motion the opportunity that allows me to stand here today. His story isn’t unique — it’s American. And it’s time our laws reflect the same compassion, fairness, and opportunity that built this nation in the first place.

Immigration isn't just a political issue; it's a human issue. We will work to ensure that every immigrant has the opportunity to thrive, and that our immigration policies reflect the values of fairness, compassion, and opportunity that have always made America great.

Community: A Nation of Immigrants, A Policy That Honors

Healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. But for too many families, it feels like a gamble — one unexpected diagnosis, one broken bone, or one prescription away from financial disaster. Our system rewards corporate profits instead of public health, and families pay the price. That has to change.This is personal for me. I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome — an invisible disability that’s shaped how I experience healthcare and the gaps within it. I’ve spent years navigating specialists, referrals, and insurance hurdles just to get basic care. I know what it’s like to fight through pain while also fighting a system that seems designed to wear you down. No one should have to struggle this hard to access the care they need, and that’s exactly why I’m determined to change it.I’m fighting to make sure every Marylander can access affordable, quality healthcare when they need it — without the fear of going broke. That means:<ul><li>Strengthening and expanding the Affordable Care Act to close coverage gaps and lower costs — while laying the groundwork for a universal single-payer system that guarantees healthcare for all.</li><li>Lowering prescription drug costs&nbsp;by capping out-of-pocket expenses and holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for price gouging.</li><li>Expanding mental health and addiction services, including full parity for mental and physical health coverage.</li><li>Investing in rural healthcare and telehealth access&nbsp;so no community is left behind.</li><li>Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare&nbsp;so seniors, families, and people with disabilities aren’t forced to choose between medicine and groceries.</li><li>Ending surprise medical billing&nbsp;and requiring real price transparency for procedures and hospital stays.</li><li>Holding hospitals and insurance companies accountable&nbsp;for predatory billing, unjust claim denials, and medical debt collection.</li><li>Supporting caregivers and home health workers&nbsp;with fair pay, training, and protections for the essential care they provide.</li><li>Combating the opioid and fentanyl crisis&nbsp;through prevention, treatment, and community-based recovery programs.</li></ul>Healthcare shouldn’t depend on your income, ZIP code, or the fine print in your insurance plan. It’s time we build a system that treats healthcare as what it truly is — a human right.

We need to protect and expand access to Medicaid and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to their health. Whether it's addiction treatment, mental health services, prescription medications, or preventive care, I will stand up for policies that prioritize people’s well-being over profits.

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Affordability: Fighting for Healthcare as a Human Right

Every child deserves the chance to succeed — and that starts with a strong, well-funded public education system. But for too many families, opportunity depends on their ZIP code, not their child’s potential. Our schools are underfunded, teachers are overworked, and the cost of higher education keeps too many doors closed.I believe education is the great equalizer — the promise that hard work and talent should open doors, no matter where you come from. That’s why I’ll fight to make sure every student, at every level, has access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive:<ul><li>Fully fund public schools&nbsp;and pay educators what they’re worth.</li><li>Invest in early childhood education&nbsp;so kids start strong and stay on track.</li><li>Expand broadband access and technology in schools&nbsp;so every student can learn and compete in a digital world.</li><li>Lower the cost of higher education and expand access to trade programs and apprenticeships&nbsp;— because success shouldn’t only come with a four-year degree.</li><li>Partner schools with local employers and unions&nbsp;to create apprenticeship pipelines for high-demand careers and rebuild the middle class.</li><li>Reduce student debt and protect borrowers&nbsp;from predatory lending and broken repayment systems.</li><li>Increase classroom resources for students with disabilities&nbsp;and those with special needs.</li><li>Protect public schools from privatization efforts&nbsp;that drain resources from the communities they serve.</li></ul>Strong schools don’t just teach our kids — they build stronger neighborhoods, better jobs, and a more connected future. When we invest in education, we invest in our communities, our democracy, and the promise of America itself.

We need to ensure that our children are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. We need to support our educators and provide resources for our schools so that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive.

Community: Delivering Opportunity Through Education

Ethan Wechtaluk joins Bob Miller and Cruizin’ Chris Michaels on Morning News Express (Free Talk 930 WFMD) to talk about his campaign for Congress and his vision for Maryland’s 6th District.

Ethan Wechtaluk Joins Morning News Express on Free Talk 930 WFMD

Today’s release of the Epstein files was supposed to be a step toward transparency. Instead, it exposed the uncomfortable truth that the Trump administration is not failing the public by accident.

Secrecy Didn’t Fail—It Worked Exactly as Intended

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We are living in a technological revolution — one that will define the next century as much as the industrial revolution defined the last. Artificial intelligence, data security, and digital infrastructure are no longer side issues; they’re the backbone of national security, economic competitiveness, and democracy itself.Right now, China and other global powers are racing ahead in artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities — and the U.S. is at risk of falling behind. If we don’t lead with purpose and integrity, we’ll end up following rules written by others. That’s unacceptable. America should be the country setting the standards for innovation, ethics, and security — not struggling to keep up.As someone who’s spent 15 years helping federal agencies modernize their systems and protect critical data, I’ve seen what happens when we treat technology as an afterthought. The stakes are too high for complacency.I’ll fight to ensure America leads with both strength and responsibility by:<ul><li>Developing a comprehensive national AI strategy&nbsp;that promotes innovation, safeguards jobs, and embeds ethical standards in technology design and use.</li><li>Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure and workforce training&nbsp;to defend our systems from foreign and domestic threats.</li><li>Prioritizing cybersecurity within national defense&nbsp;to ensure our military and intelligence agencies can protect Americans from next-generation digital warfare.</li><li>Establishing a federal data privacy framework&nbsp;that protects Americans’ personal information and prevents corporate exploitation.</li><li>Protecting against AI-driven misinformation and deepfake technology&nbsp;that threaten elections, journalism, and public trust.</li><li>Promoting transparency and accountability in AI&nbsp;to prevent bias, abuse, and misuse of data in decision-making.</li><li>Investing in workforce development and STEM education&nbsp;so the next generation of Americans can lead in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.</li><li>Rebuilding federal tech capacity&nbsp;so agencies have the tools, talent, and resources to serve the public effectively.</li><li>Expanding research and development funding&nbsp;for cutting-edge technologies — including AI, quantum computing, and next-generation communications.</li><li>Protecting critical infrastructure&nbsp;like hospitals, power grids, and election systems from cyberattacks.</li><li>Forging global partnerships on AI and cybersecurity&nbsp;to establish international norms that reflect democratic values, not authoritarian control.</li><li>Supporting small businesses and startups&nbsp;in emerging tech sectors so innovation benefits everyone, not just corporate giants.</li></ul>Leading in technology isn’t just about keeping pace — it’s about setting the course. We can build a future where innovation strengthens democracy, empowers workers, and safeguards freedom. Smart policy means building technology that doesn’t just push limits — it preserves the planet and the people who live on it.

In today’s world, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s the backbone of progress. From artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, the innovations of today will shape the future of our economy, security, and daily lives. We need to foster a tech-driven economy that stays ahead of global challenges and protects the interests of Marylanders and all Americans.

Accountability: From AI to Cybersecurity—America Must Lead

America was built by workers — not corporate lobbyists, not Wall Street, and not politicians who’ve never punched a timecard. But for decades, working people have been left behind while corporations and billionaires rewrite the rules in their favor. Wages stagnate, benefits shrink, and job security feels like a thing of the past. It doesn’t have to be this way.I come from a family that understands the power of labor. My grandfather was a union steelworker — the kind of man who put in long shifts and believed deeply that if you worked hard and played by the rules, you should be able to provide for your family. That’s the America we’ve lost sight of, and that’s the America I’m fighting to rebuild.I’m fighting to restore the promise that hard work pays off — whether you’re in a union hall, a small business, or driving for a delivery app. That means:<ul><li>Protecting the right to organize and collectively bargain&nbsp;— because when workers have a voice, everyone benefits.</li><li>Cracking down on wage theft, union busting, and worker misclassification&nbsp;that cheat people out of fair pay and benefits.</li><li>Supporting gig workers and contractors&nbsp;with access to healthcare, retirement options, and basic protections.</li><li>Investing in job training and apprenticeship programs&nbsp;that connect people to good-paying, future-ready jobs.</li><li>Expanding Buy American and prevailing wage standards&nbsp;to ensure taxpayer dollars create American jobs — not overseas profits.</li></ul>Strong unions don’t just lift their members — they lift entire communities. When workers earn fair wages and have real power, the middle class grows, families thrive, and America wins.

Affordability: Strong Unions, Strong America

Every community deserves to feel safe — whether you live in a big city, a small town, or anywhere in between. But safety can’t come from slogans or fearmongering. It comes from trust, fairness, and a justice system that works for everyone.For too long, politicians have treated public safety like a talking point instead of a responsibility. We don’t need more finger-pointing or blanket policies — we need a smarter approach that actually keeps people safe, rebuilds trust, and ensures justice is applied equally to everyone.I’ll fight to make our justice system fair, accountable, and effective by:<ul><li>Reforming policing practices&nbsp;to emphasize de-escalation, accountability, and community trust.</li><li>Investing in community-based violence prevention&nbsp;and public safety initiatives that address the root causes of crime.</li><li>Expanding mental health crisis response teams&nbsp;so police aren’t the only option when someone needs help, not handcuffs.</li><li>Ending cash bail for nonviolent offenses&nbsp;so people aren’t jailed simply because they’re poor.</li><li>Promoting rehabilitation and reentry programs&nbsp;that help people rebuild their lives instead of returning to the system.</li><li>Decriminalizing addiction and expanding access to treatment&nbsp;— because substance use disorder is a public health issue, not a criminal one.</li><li>Combating the fentanyl epidemic&nbsp;with prevention, treatment, and tougher penalties for traffickers who prey on communities.</li><li>Holding law enforcement accountable&nbsp;through independent oversight and transparency in use-of-force investigations.</li><li>Ending private prisons and for-profit detention centers&nbsp;that profit from incarceration instead of reducing it.</li><li>Investing in youth programs, education, and opportunity&nbsp;— because the best crime prevention starts long before a crime ever happens.</li></ul>Public safety and justice aren’t opposing goals — they’re two sides of the same coin. A fair system keeps people safe. A broken one makes everyone less secure.

Accountability: Justice and Safety That Work for Everyone

More than 700,000 Americans live in Washington, D.C. They pay taxes, serve in our military, and contribute to our nation’s success — yet they have no voting representation in Congress. That’s not democracy. That’s taxation without representation, and it’s long past time we fixed it.The denial of statehood to D.C. residents isn’t just a policy failure — it’s a moral one. It’s rooted in partisanship, fear, and a refusal to recognize the equal citizenship of the people who live in our nation’s capital. No American should have fewer rights because of where they live.As your representative, I’ll fight to make D.C. the 51st state and ensure that its citizens have the same voice, representation, and protections as every other American. That means:<ul><li>Granting full statehood to the District of Columbia&nbsp;with voting representation in both the House and Senate.</li><li>Ending partisan obstruction&nbsp;that keeps D.C. residents disenfranchised for political gain.</li><li>Protecting local self-governance&nbsp;and ensuring D.C. can pass its own laws without congressional interference.</li><li>Upholding the principle of equal representation&nbsp;as the cornerstone of our democracy.</li></ul>But the fight for democracy doesn’t stop at the Potomac. Millions of Americans in&nbsp;Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands&nbsp;also live without full representation in Congress. They serve, they work, they pay into our systems — and yet they’re denied an equal voice in the laws that govern them.Whether it’s D.C. or the territories, the principle is the same:&nbsp;no American should be treated as a second-class citizen.This isn’t about politics — it’s about fairness, equality, and the very promise of America. Democracy means every citizen has a voice. The people of D.C. — and every U.S. territory — have waited long enough to be heard.

Accountability: Democracy Denied in DC. That Ends Now.

After 15 years in consulting, I’ve seen firsthand how Washington works—and how often it fails to deliver. I’ve spent my career pushing for better outcomes and a government that works for the people. But after all this time, I’ve realized something important: we need real, meaningful change.That’s why I’m proud to announce that I’m running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District. It’s time to stop waiting for someone else to step up and start creating the change we deserve.We deserve an America that works for everyone—one that’s fair, accountable, and focused on real solutions. For too long, government has been consumed by performative politics and egotism, failing to serve the people. We stand at a crossroads, and together, we have an opportunity to build a better future—strengthen our economy, provide affordable healthcare, create legal pathways to citizenship, protect the rights of minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community, and lead the world into the next technological frontier.Maryland is my home. I’ve built my life here, surrounded by the beauty that stretches from the Chesapeake Bay to the Allegheny Mountains. Together, we can bring a fresh perspective to Washington, put bold words into action, and lead with integrity.Join me in this fight for what matters. The time for change is now.

Ethan Wechtaluk officially entered the race, pledging to fight for working families, protect rights, and deliver real results for Maryland’s 6th.

Ethan Wechtaluk Announces Campaign for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District

Technology powers our lives — from cloud computing and social media to artificial intelligence and e-commerce. But the tech industry’s explosive growth comes with a heavy cost: energy-hungry data centers, toxic e-waste, and a supply chain built on exploited labor and rare earth minerals that damage our environment.If we want innovation to move us forward, not backward, we must make it sustainable, ethical, and accountable. I believe we can lead the world in technology&nbsp;and&nbsp;protect our planet at the same time.That means:<ul><li>Powering data centers with clean energy&nbsp;— tying expansion to renewable and nuclear power, not fossil fuels.</li><li>Cutting water waste&nbsp;through efficient cooling and recycling systems that protect local communities.</li><li>Greening the tech supply chain&nbsp;by investing in alternatives to rare earth minerals and enforcing responsible sourcing standards.</li><li>Tackling e-waste head-on&nbsp;with stronger recycling programs, right-to-repair laws, and incentives for durable product design.</li><li>Ensuring equitable access to technology and broadband&nbsp;so rural and low-income communities aren’t left behind in the digital economy.</li><li>Protecting consumers’ data privacy and stopping corporate surveillance&nbsp;by requiring transparency in how personal information is collected, used, and sold.</li><li>Holding Big Tech accountable&nbsp;for its environmental footprint and ensuring transparency in energy use and emissions.</li><li>Using technology to solve its own footprint&nbsp;— developing AI and data tools that improve energy efficiency and sustainability.</li></ul>Maryland is uniquely positioned to lead this effort — home to cutting-edge research institutions, a skilled workforce, and the ingenuity to make technology sustainable and just.Smarter technology should mean a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future — one that strengthens communities instead of draining them. Innovation is only progress when it works for people&nbsp;and&nbsp;the planet.

Community: Smarter Tech, Greener Future

Equality isn’t negotiable. Every person — no matter who they are or who they love — deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity. But across the country, LGBTQ+ Americans are being targeted by politicians who use fear and hate as campaign strategies. Those attacks don’t just harm individuals — they weaken our democracy.For me, this isn’t just policy — it’s personal. I’m bisexual, and I know what it feels like to navigate a world that doesn’t always see or understand you. I’ve seen the courage it takes to live authentically and the pain that comes from being told you shouldn’t. That’s why I’ll never back down from defending equality — because this fight is about freedom at its core.I believe that protecting LGBTQ+ rights is about more than tolerance — it’s about justice. It’s about ensuring that every American has the same freedom to live, work, love, and raise a family without fear of discrimination or violence.I’ll fight for a future where equality is real, not rhetorical, by pushing for:<ul><li>Passing the Equality Act&nbsp;to guarantee full federal protections against discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and public life.</li><li>Defending marriage equality&nbsp;and ensuring that the Supreme Court can’t roll back the rights of same-sex couples.</li><li>Protecting transgender Americans&nbsp;from targeted legislation, bans on gender-affirming care, and attacks on their dignity and safety.</li><li>Ensuring access to affirming healthcare, including mental health services and gender-affirming care, for those who need it.</li><li>Strengthening hate-crime laws and funding community safety programs&nbsp;that protect LGBTQ+ people from harassment and violence.</li><li>Supporting LGBTQ+ youth&nbsp;by investing in inclusive education, anti-bullying programs, and mental health support in schools.</li><li>Ending discrimination in adoption, foster care, and family services&nbsp;so loving parents are never denied the chance to raise a child because of who they are.</li></ul>Progress has never come easy — it’s always been fought for. But every fight for equality has made this country stronger, freer, and fairer.As your representative, I’ll make this promise: I won’t tiptoe around hate or compromise on equality. Because Pride isn’t just a celebration — it’s a declaration that love and dignity will always win over fear and division.

Equality is non-negotiable. Every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the right to live openly, safely, and with dignity. We need to fight to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community by ensuring full legal protections against discrimination in housing, employment, and public services.

Community: Pride is Power and Equality is the Goal

As a husband and a father of three daughters, I believe deeply that every person has the right to make their own healthcare decisions — free from political interference, stigma, or fear. Reproductive rights are human rights. Period.But this fight is bigger than just protecting access to abortion — it’s about ensuring that everyone can make informed, autonomous decisions about their health and their future. It’s about access to birth control, comprehensive reproductive care, and the right to start or grow a family safely and on your own terms.I will fight to protect and expand reproductive freedom at every level:<ul><li>Codify Roe v. Wade into federal law&nbsp;and protect access to abortion nationwide.</li><li>Defend access to birth control and emergency contraception, including over-the-counter options.</li><li>Protect IVF and fertility treatments&nbsp;from extremist attacks and restrictive laws.</li><li>Expand access to maternal healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities.</li><li>Reduce the racial and economic disparities in maternal mortality, which are a national disgrace.</li><li>Support paid family and medical leave&nbsp;so parents can care for themselves and their children without risking their jobs or income.</li><li>Ensure insurance coverage and funding for reproductive healthcare&nbsp;through Medicaid, Title X, and the Affordable Care Act.</li><li>Protect doctors, providers, and patients&nbsp;from criminalization and harassment for providing or seeking care.</li></ul>This isn’t just a healthcare issue — it’s a freedom issue, a fairness issue, and a moral issue. No one should have to ask permission to control their own body or make choices about their own life.

As a father of three daughters, I believe deeply that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body. Reproductive rights are fundamental to ensuring equality, freedom, and personal autonomy. We need to fight to protect access to safe and legal abortion, birth control, and comprehensive healthcare services.

Community: Your Body, Your Rights—No Compromise

Behind every policy, every program, and every promise our government makes are the people who make it all happen — the federal workers who keep this country running. From the VA nurses who care for our veterans to the analysts who safeguard our national security, these public servants do their jobs with integrity and dedication, often under intense pressure and constant attack.For years, Washington politicians have vilified federal employees to score political points. Under Donald Trump, entire agencies were gutted, expertise was ignored, and morale was shattered. But let’s be clear: you can’t shrink government into dysfunction and then claim it doesn’t work. We need to rebuild trust, capacity, and respect for the people who serve our country every day.I’ve spent 15 years working alongside federal employees across agencies — from Medicare to FDA to the Health Insurance Marketplace and the VA. I’ve seen firsthand how deeply they care about the work they do and the people they serve. Even when Washington fails them, they show up every day to keep this country moving. It’s time their government showed up for them.I’ll fight to protect and empower the federal workforce by:<ul><li>Restoring respect and stability for federal workers&nbsp;by ending political attacks, hiring freezes, and retaliatory purges.</li><li>Ensuring fair pay and benefits&nbsp;that keep up with inflation and reflect the essential work public servants do.</li><li>Protecting collective bargaining and union rights&nbsp;for federal employees.</li><li>Strengthening whistleblower protections&nbsp;so those who call out waste, fraud, or abuse aren’t punished for doing the right thing.</li><li>Rebuilding agency capacity and expertise&nbsp;after years of attrition, hiring freezes, and politicized leadership.</li><li>Modernizing hiring practices&nbsp;to make it easier for young talent and underrepresented groups to enter public service.</li><li>Preventing partisan interference&nbsp;by reinforcing the merit-based civil service system and insulating career staff from political retaliation.</li><li>Investing in professional development, technology, and innovation&nbsp;to make government more efficient, agile, and accountable to the people it serves.</li><li>Expanding telework and flexible work options&nbsp;to improve retention, productivity, and accessibility — especially for workers with disabilities and caregiving responsibilities.</li><li>Protecting retirement security and healthcare benefits&nbsp;for current and retired federal employees.</li></ul>A government that works for the people starts with protecting the people who make government work. When we value public service, we don’t just strengthen our institutions — we strengthen democracy itself.

Accountability: Protect the People Who Make Government Work

I’m a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting — one of the deadliest acts of gun violence in American history. I know what it’s like to live through that kind of terror, to feel the silence after the gunfire, and to see the headlines fade while nothing changes. Every time Congress shrugs off another tragedy, it’s a betrayal — not just of victims, but of every American who deserves to feel safe in their school, workplace, or community.We don’t have a gun problem in this country — we have a&nbsp;cowardice problem.&nbsp;The gun lobby has spent decades buying silence and loyalty in Washington, and it’s time to break that grip once and for all.I believe in the Second Amendment. But I also believe in the right to stay alive. Common-sense reforms are supported by the majority of Americans — Democrats, Republicans, and gun owners alike. It’s time our leaders acted like it.I’ll fight for real, proven solutions that protect both safety and rights:<ul><li>Universal background checks&nbsp;for all firearm purchases and transfers.</li><li>Closing the gun show and online loopholes&nbsp;that allow criminals to evade the law.</li><li>Red flag laws&nbsp;that empower families and law enforcement to temporarily remove guns from those who pose a danger to themselves or others.</li><li>Safe storage requirements&nbsp;to prevent accidental shootings and keep firearms out of the hands of children.</li><li>Keep guns out of schools and protect children from the epidemic of gun violence&nbsp;— now the leading cause of death among American youth.</li><li>Banning high-capacity magazines and military-style weapons&nbsp;designed for war, not for our neighborhoods.</li><li>Treat gun violence as the public health emergency it is, expanding CDC research and funding for prevention.</li><li>Invest in community-based violence prevention&nbsp;and mental health services.</li><li>Strengthen enforcement of existing gun laws&nbsp;and increase penalties for illegal trafficking and straw purchases.</li><li>Hold the gun industry accountable&nbsp;by ending immunity for manufacturers and enforcing strict reporting requirements.</li></ul>I’ve lived the consequences of inaction. I won’t back down from this fight — not when lives are on the line and not when powerful lobbies try to silence the truth. We can protect the rights of responsible gun owners&nbsp;and&nbsp;protect the lives of our families. We just need leaders with the courage to do it.

As a survivor of a school shooting, I know firsthand the pain and devastation that comes with gun violence. We need to take action, but that doesn’t mean taking away anyone’s right to bear arms. What we need are practical reforms that keep our communities safe while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Accountability: Breaking the Gun Lobby’s Grip on Congress

There’s a brutal divide in this country: those who can buy their way out of consequences and those who can’t. The rules are written by the powerful, and everyone else is told to obey them.

Jeffrey Epstein and the Voices We Failed to Protect

A strong economy shouldn’t just look good on paper — it should work for the people who make it run. For too long, the rules have been written by and for the wealthy and well-connected, while working families are told to “be patient” as wages stagnate, prices rise, and opportunities slip away. That’s not patience — that’s neglect. And it ends here.I’m fighting to rebuild our economy from the ground up — one that puts&nbsp;people before profits&nbsp;and gives every Marylander a fair shot to build a stable, secure future. That means:<ul><li>Raising wages&nbsp;and ensuring work pays enough to live, not just survive.</li><li>Supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs&nbsp;who drive real growth in our communities.</li><li>Making childcare and housing affordable&nbsp;so families can build stability, not debt.</li><li>Expanding job training, apprenticeships, and union protections&nbsp;to rebuild the middle class.</li><li>Protecting the right to repair&nbsp;so consumers, farmers, and small businesses can fix what they own without being exploited by corporate monopolies.</li><li>Holding corporations accountable&nbsp;for price gouging, union busting, and tax evasion.</li></ul>This isn’t about government handouts or corporate bailouts — it’s about creating an economy where everyone has the freedom to thrive, not just get by.Because when working families can afford to live, when local businesses grow, and when communities share in prosperity —&nbsp;that’s when America is at its strongest.

A thriving economy is the foundation of a prosperous nation. We need policies that support working families, encourage innovation, and create opportunities for all to succeed. I will push for investments in infrastructure, education, and technology—key sectors that will drive our economy forward.&nbsp;

Affordability: Building an Economy That Works for All of Us

Raising a family in America has never been harder. Costs keep climbing, wages haven’t kept up, and families are being crushed between bills, childcare, and the daily grind. Working parents are doing everything right — and still can’t catch a break. That’s not by accident. It’s the result of decades of policies that reward wealth, not work, and put families last.As a husband and father of three daughters, I understand these struggles personally. My wife and I have felt the strain of childcare costs and healthcare bills, and before we met, she faced those challenges alone — relying on SNAP to keep food on the table as a single mother. I’ve seen up close how our system too often makes life harder, not easier, for families trying to do everything right. But I also believe we can change that — if we have the courage to put working families first again.I’m fighting for policies that make raising a family affordable, fair, and supported at every stage of life:<ul><li>Expanding access to affordable childcare&nbsp;so parents can work and kids can thrive.</li><li>Guaranteeing paid family and medical leave&nbsp;— because no one should lose their job for taking care of a loved one.</li><li>Capping out-of-pocket healthcare and prescription costs&nbsp;so families aren’t one emergency away from financial ruin.</li><li>Supporting nutrition and assistance programs like SNAP and WIC&nbsp;that lift families out of poverty and strengthen local economies. </li><li>Making housing more affordable&nbsp;by tackling corporate greed in the rental market and investing in workforce housing.</li><li>Expanding the Child Tax Credit and strengthening safety net programs&nbsp;that reduce child poverty and give every kid a fair shot.</li><li>Providing tax relief for working- and middle-class families&nbsp;— not the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.</li></ul>Families are the backbone of this country. It’s time our policies reflected that. America can do better — and in Maryland’s 6th District, we will.

Affordability: America Is Failing Families — We Can Do Better

Ethan Wechtaluk, candidate for Maryland's 6th District, reaffirmed his commitment to accountability by signing the U.S. Term Limits pledge,

Affordability. Accountability. Community.

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I'm done waiting for someone else.

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