There are many things I could say about Jeromie Whalen as a candidate running for U.S. Congress. However, I would like to focus on the character of the son, brother, educator and advocate whom I am lucky enough to call my friend. As I have stood by Jeromie at various events, from ballot signature collection, to Democratic Town Committee meetings, to community outreach events, to visiting his father on his birthday, I have noticed that there is no facade to this man and certainly no off-switch. There is a certain passion, energy, resilience and hope that shines bright within him as a human being, no matter where he goes or who he is with. That light within Jeromie is something that Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District is missing right now.
When I became involved in Jeromie’s campaign, I admitted that I did not know much about the political world; rather, I just wanted to show up to support my friend and someone from my hometown trying to make a difference for his community. This has been his track record since the day I met him, several years prior to a MA-01 run. But as I stepped into the political arena to help him, my eyes were opened to how the system actually operates. The more I learned about the political world, the more it became very clear to me that the system is layered with complexities that hide accountability.
Political Action Committees (PACs) that donate to campaigns create an unequal influence in comparison to the everyday American. For example, our current congressman accepts money from an Eversource PAC while families face rising costs of utility bills from Eversource. These two things are simply not congruent. How can our congressman truly represent us when he is taking donations from PACs directly related to the very corporations that continue to increase our burdens all across MA-01 with rising utility costs?
As a healthcare professional and someone with a business background, I am trained to look at data objectively. When you look at the data, you see Jeromie’s financial sheet is full of $25 dollar donations from people you likely know in the area, in comparison to Congressman Richard Neal’s financial sheet full of $5,000 dollar donations from various PACs. Jeromie has taken zero dollars from PACs, ensuring his only priority is the people of our district.
Representation that is too closely aligned with powerful corporate interests cannot possibly benefit the teachers, students, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, tradespeople, small business owners, and many, many more that make up our district. The strength of our district is found within our community, not within corporations. We need someone who embodies the strengths of our community to report to Washington D.C., and represent us truly in the 1st Congressional District. After 37 years, it sure seems time for a change.
As progressive movements gain momentum, I cannot help but hope. I stand by Jeromie Whalen as he tries to make history to become one of the progressive candidates to deliver an upset to a seated incumbent. There is power in numbers. There is power in knowledge. There is power in using your voice. Sept. 1 could be a decision that results in lasting change for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Please register to vote.
Britiany A. Browning lives in Westhampton.