Bree’s Priorities
Keeping America's Promise
My family's story is the American story. On one side, immigrants and refugees who fled rising authoritarianism in Europe—my maternal grandfather's family escaped Germany on a midnight train to Paris in 1936, the day before the SS came to arrest them. They survived because America opened its doors. Then both my grandfathers volunteered to go back overseas during World War II to defend the freedom that saved them. One earned two Bronze Stars and was offered a battlefield commission for valor.
On the other side of my family, generations whose service stretches back to the Revolution and the House of Burgesses in 1650s Virginia. Together, that history taught me a simple truth. America's promise isn't inherited, it must be defended and renewed, generation after generation.
That promise is the belief that legitimate power flows from the consent of the governed. That freedom must be protected by justice. That "We the People" means all the people. It's the Declaration's call for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the Constitution's framework for self-government and the rule of law. These values endure because they provide us a basis to grow and change while steering us forward as a nation worthy of its founding promises.
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Defending Our Democracy
I spent 23 years defending the Constitution. I didn't learn about protecting democracy from a book, I lived it every day. I swore an oath to defend it, that oath matters to me. Particularly at a time when our Constitution is under attack.
Democratic institutions are the bedrock of American freedom, born of revolution against concentrated power and designed to ensure a government of, by, and for the people. Their strength lies in the courage of those who serve within them to put constitutional principle over partisanship and country over self. Lawmakers and judges must be empowered to act with integrity and independence. Accountable to the Constitution and the people, not to loyalty tests or fear of reprisal.
But this is not a moment to just rebuild what we've lost. It's an opportunity to build something better—to fulfill the founding promise of this nation. That means a rebirth of freedom: restrictions on presidential powers like pardons, making clear that no one is above the law, and expanding opportunity with protections like the Equal Rights Amendment and voting rights. American Democracy isn’t intended to be stagnant, we must learn from the past, not yearn for it.
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Protecting Virginia’s Families
Security starts at home. Virginia families deserve the stability to plan for the future, the confidence that hard work leads somewhere, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can provide for the people you love.
Right now, instead of that, we have a government that creates fear and demands compliance while lining the pockets of billionaires, including President Trump, rather than looking out for everyday Americans. To me, "better" looks like an America where opportunity is there for everyone to be recognized with dignity and have an affordable chance to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
I've managed programs where failure wasn't an option. Lives depended on getting it right. That's the discipline I'll bring to securing affordability and opportunity for every Virginia family. Economic vitality means predictable conditions that allow families to plan ahead, businesses to invest with confidence, and communities to thrive. It requires investments in infrastructure, scientific advancement, and sustainable industries that prepare us for the challenges ahead. For Virginia's families, failure is not an option.
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Strengthening Our Security
I've spent my career protecting Americans. I deployed to combat zones hunting IEDs to keep our convoys safe. I led billion-dollar national security programs—missile warning systems that gave our forces enough time to take cover when under attack. At the Pentagon, I helped plan the future of American defense by defining capabilities the Space Force will need far into the future. I know what real security looks like and what threatens it, both internally and externally.
True security is the collective ability of Americans to live free from fear, coercion, or disruption by hostile forces. We achieve it through deterrence, cooperation, and the strength of shared purpose. America's real power comes not from raw military force, but from our economic strength, our cultural influence, and our willingness to do good in the world. We must build the tables that allow us to sit down and solve complex problems together.
Security is not about being the biggest or most aggressive force. It's not about dominating others or withdrawing from the international organizations we literally built. That is not strength, it is petulance and weakness. Lasting security comes from trust, cooperation, and the confidence that comes with principled strength. The military exists not to fight wars, but to prevent them.
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Ensuring Everyone Belongs
When I was allowed to serve authentically in uniform, my performance improved, my teams thrived, and my colleagues had my back. But for nearly 15 years before that, I carried the burden of hiding who I was. When you're hiding something about yourself, you can be good at your job, you can be great at your job, but you cannot be your best. Because you're spending energy protecting your identity rather than putting it into the mission.
In 2025, my service was abruptly ended. Not because of how I served, but because of who I am. In my final meeting at the Pentagon, after informing a room full of admirals and generals this would be my last meeting, each got up, shook my hand, and said with sadness: "It's been an honor to have served with you." None of those people saw a transgender woman, they saw a Colonel who was there to do her job.
That's how I know we've won within the military. Those attitudes have changed. They saw the excellence that trans people showed over nine years serving authentically.
Every American deserves the right to speak, worship, love, access healthcare, and exist in public without fear. No child should ever have to wonder whether their country has room for them. America should be a beacon to refugees—not a source of them. Our commitment must be to a just and pluralistic society that defends both freedom and dignity as essential to the American promise.
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Delivering Good Government
I've seen government at its best. Teams delivering under pressure, protecting lives, making a real difference. I've also seen what happens when politics get prioritized over public service. Government should work for the people it serves. It should be there when you need it. Whether that's getting a Social Security appointment when you need it, not 60 days in advance, or silently watching your back, protecting you from war, natural disasters, and disease or investing in the science, healthcare, and infrastructure that allows you to live a life where you can pursue your dreams.
Effective government means a federal workforce focused on meaningful outcomes rather than compliance with outdated procedures. It means leveraging technology to simplify laws, promote transparency, and provide equitable access. Too often, complex legal and regulatory frameworks favor the wealthy and well-connected.
Trust in government is shaped by the responsiveness of agencies like Social Security, the VA, the IRS, and FEMA. When these organizations are understaffed, use outdated technology, or operate with deliberate opacity, Americans suffer and lose faith.
The public servants who quietly make government work under pressure deserve our respect and support, not political attacks that weaken the institutions keeping Americans safe and prosperous.