PRIORITIES
America’s education system is falling behind—and our kids are the ones paying the price. Since the early 2000s, test scores have steadily declined, teacher shortages have worsened, and STEM degree attainment has lagged far behind that of our global competitors. But this isn’t just about test scores or rankings—it’s about an underfunded system that’s leaving students, families, and educators without the tools they need to succeed. Alex believes that education is the silver bullet to solving nearly every domestic challenge we face: from crime to poverty to civic engagement. That’s why he supports a whole-child approach to learning—one that recognizes that academic success depends on meeting students' needs inside and outside the classroom. His plan includes funding for universal school meals, free after-school programs, expanded tutoring services, and mental health support to ensure every student is ready to learn.
Fixing education starts with supporting the people who make it happen. That means paying teachers what they’re worth, fully honoring public service loan forgiveness, and giving schools the flexibility to innovate without being chained to standardized tests. It also means modernizing what we teach and how we teach it—investing in cutting-edge tools, project-based learning, and vocational and technical education that prepares students for real-world success, not just college entrance exams. Alex believes in classrooms where curiosity is rewarded, creativity is nurtured, and every student is seen. Education isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a promise. And that promise starts with giving every child, in every zip code, the opportunity to thrive.
America stands on the edge of a new industrial revolution—one powered by clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and technologies that don’t even exist yet. Thanks to legislation like the CHIPS Act, we’re bringing semiconductor production, green energy infrastructure, and high-tech manufacturing back home. But if we don’t train the workforce to build it, that opportunity will pass us by. Alex believes we need a jobs strategy that’s as bold as our ambitions. That starts with a national investment in high-tech job training focused on the industries of the future: nuclear energy, battery storage, semiconductors, clean construction, and AI systems maintenance. These are good-paying, durable jobs—and they don’t require a four-year degree to access.
Alex also believes it's time to end the false choice between college and success. For too long, we've told students that a university education is the only path forward, while quietly ignoring the massive shortage of electricians, welders, mechanics, and technicians—the very people who will keep our energy grid running, our chip plants humming, and our infrastructure strong. His plan calls for fully funded trade school programs in every public high school, paid apprenticeships, and tuition-free access to community and technical colleges. He will fight to make sure these programs are available in every state, not just the coasts. A strong economy isn’t built from the top down—it’s built from the middle out. When we invest in American workers, we don’t just create jobs. We build the next American century.
America’s energy grid is collapsing. Seventy percent of our power lines are over 25 years old, with many reaching the end of their useful life. While bipartisan bills like the GRIP Act are working to modernize our infrastructure, progress is not happening fast enough—and even if it were, our energy sources can’t keep up with growing demand. Instead of investing in advanced nuclear power, we’ve shut down two nuclear plants since 2016. Meanwhile, China and Russia are poised to eclipse us as global leaders in nuclear energy. Solar and wind are now cheaper and cleaner than coal or natural gas, yet the Trump administration slashed nearly 300 programs designed to support that technology in favor of fossil fuels. That’s not just backwards and inefficient—it’s expensive, short-sighted, and dangerous for our economy and our environment.
Alex believes that modern energy solutions are one of the two keys to keeping America a superpower on the world stage. While continuing investment in resources like natural gas is important, we must harness our vast natural potential to drive innovation in renewable, clean energy. America should be leading the world in energy breakthroughs—not playing catch-up. That means bringing down the cost of solar and wind even further, accelerating research into technologies like advanced battery storage, hydrogen electrolysis, and enhanced geothermal systems, and—most importantly—launching a bold national commitment to build 500 new, safe nuclear power plants by 2050. These advancements will create high-paying jobs, power new industries, and secure America’s dominance in the global energy economy. We have the tools. We have the talent. What we need now is the will to lead.
America has always been a nation of immigrants. From the scientists who launched us to the moon, to the farmworkers who keep our grocery stores stocked, to the doctors and entrepreneurs who power our cities—immigrants have built and rebuilt this country every step of the way. Today, one in four American businesses is started by an immigrant. Immigrants pay billions in taxes, fill vital labor shortages, and commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens. And yet, year after year, both parties have kicked the can down the road—trading real reform for political posturing while families remain in limbo, employers scramble for workers, and our global leadership continues to slip. Alex believes that immigration isn’t a threat to America’s future—it’s the key to it.
Alex supports a comprehensive pathway to citizenship that is fair, secure, and attainable. That means finally passing legislation that allows Dreamers, essential workers, and long-term residents to become full participants in our democracy. It means clearing green card backlogs, fixing the asylum process, and expanding work visas to meet real economic demand—not political rhetoric. Alex also believes in strong borders and strong values, which is why his plan includes smart, technology-driven border management without resorting to cruelty or chaos. Reform isn’t just about compassion—it’s about common sense. The data is clear: when we welcome people who want to build, work, and contribute, America grows stronger. It’s time to stop treating immigration as a wedge issue and start treating it as what it truly is—a strategic advantage.
Housing in America has become a rigged game—one that young people are losing before they even get a chance to play. In 1970, a typical home cost about twice the average annual salary. Today, it’s more than six times that. Wages haven’t kept pace, but speculation and restrictive zoning have. If you're under 30 and dreaming of owning a home, the market is sending a clear message: wait your turn. Alex believes that’s unacceptable. The American Dream shouldn’t be delayed or denied—it should be built. That starts with a simple idea: if we want more affordable homes, we need to build more affordable homes. Alex supports federal incentives for developers who prioritize first-time buyers, including tax credits, low-interest financing, and density bonuses for building starter homes near transit, schools, and jobs.
But building more isn’t enough. We must also make buying possible. Alex will fight for a federal “First Home” matching grant program that helps working-class Americans put together a down payment before they turn 30. Just like we match retirement savings, we should match investment in the future of our communities. Alex will also work to expand federal protections for renters transitioning to ownership—because a lease shouldn't be a life sentence. This is about equity, opportunity, and common sense. When young people are locked out of the housing market, they’re locked out of wealth-building, stability, and full participation in our economy. We can fix this—but only if we stop treating housing like a luxury and start treating it like the foundation of a strong society.
America spends more on healthcare than any other developed nation, yet we have worse outcomes, higher maternal mortality rates, and emergency rooms packed with people who couldn’t afford to see a doctor in the first place. That’s not just broken—it’s backwards. Healthcare should be a right, not a luxury. Alex believes it’s time to move boldly toward a universal, publicly funded healthcare model that covers every American—regardless of income, employment status, or ZIP code. When everyone is covered, we reduce ER visits, lower prescription costs, and improve long-term health outcomes. Countries with healthcare-for-all systems see patients live longer, recover faster, and pay less. There is no reason America can’t lead in both innovation and access.
But coverage is only part of the solution. Alex knows that access means nothing without enough doctors and nurses to provide care. That’s why his plan includes generous tuition forgiveness and paid residency incentives for medical professionals who commit to serving in underserved communities. It includes funding for new medical schools, faster credentialing for qualified foreign-trained doctors, and improved nurse staffing ratios to prevent burnout. We will also invest in maternal care, including universal prenatal coverage and hospital reforms that prioritize patient safety and postpartum care. The result? More doctors, shorter wait times, and fewer families suffering needlessly. Healthcare for all isn’t just the moral choice—it’s the smart, cost-effective, American choice.
Social Security is one of the greatest promises America has ever made: if you work hard and pay in, you’ll retire with dignity and security. But that promise is under threat—not because it’s broken, but because it hasn’t been updated to meet the realities of a 21st-century economy. Right now, millionaires stop paying into Social Security just a few weeks into the year, while the rest of us keep paying on every single paycheck. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair. Alex believes it’s time to remove the income cap on Social Security contributions for those making over $250,000 a year. Because if you benefit the most from our economy, you should contribute your fair share to keep it strong.
At the same time, we must modernize the program to ensure it works for a changing population. With Americans living longer and birth rates declining, the math simply doesn’t work unless we act now. Alex supports legislation that not only strengthens Social Security’s trust fund, but also expands benefits for seniors who need them most—especially those who rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. He’ll fight to ensure cost-of-living adjustments actually reflect the real expenses our seniors face, from rising medical bills to housing costs. This isn’t just a budget issue—it’s a moral issue. We can’t balance the books on the backs of retirees who did everything right. We must protect and expand Social Security so that every American, in every generation, can retire with peace of mind.
For generations, American farmers have fed the world. But today, they’re getting squeezed from every direction—rising costs, unpredictable weather, foreign competition, and a subsidy system that often rewards volume over value. At the same time, the average age of a U.S. farmer is nearing 60, and fewer young people see a future in agriculture. Alex believes that farming shouldn’t be a relic of the past—it should be a cornerstone of our future. That means shifting subsidies to prioritize the crops we actually need the most—like fruits, vegetables, and grains that fuel both our families and our food systems. It means protecting family farms from corporate consolidation and foreign buyouts. And it means ensuring that traditional farming is not just respected, but fully supported as a viable, honorable career path for the next generation.
But Alex knows the future of agriculture is also being written in labs, greenhouses, and startup garages. He supports bold federal investment in agricultural innovation—vertical farming, precision irrigation, AI-driven soil management, and carbon-smart crops that use less water, less land, and produce less waste. We should be leading the world in sustainable, scalable food production, not clinging to outdated methods while our competitors leap ahead. Alex will fight for funding that helps farmers adopt these technologies, not leave them behind. Because the best way to protect the land is to use it wisely—and the best way to honor our farming heritage is to make sure it has a future. When we invest in the food economy of tomorrow, we ensure that every American—urban or rural, young or old—has a stake in what we grow and how we grow it.
Democracy doesn’t work when money talks louder than people. Yet in today’s political system, billionaires and special interests get front-row seats while everyday Americans are stuck in the back. Since the Citizens United decision, dark money has flooded our elections, drowning out the voices of voters with unchecked influence. The result? Pay-to-play politics where legislation is written by lobbyists, accountability is optional, and public trust continues to erode. Alex believes it’s time to pull the curtain back. Our democracy should not be auctioned off to the highest bidder. It should belong to the people—and only the people.
Alex will champion legislation to overturn Citizens United and restore Congress’s ability to limit corporate spending in elections. He supports full transparency in political donations, an end to super PAC loopholes, and strict caps on campaign contributions. Most importantly, he will fight for public financing of federal elections, so that candidates are beholden to their communities—not to corporate donors or wealthy backers. That means small-dollar matching programs that empower grassroots movements and level the playing field for working-class candidates. It’s simple: if you're running to represent the people, then only the people should have a say in your campaign. No more backroom deals. No more bought-and-paid-for politicians. Just a government that answers to its voters—and no one else.
The “war on drugs” has been a disaster at every level. Stiffer penalties for drug users and dealers have done nothing to curtail the use of drugs in America, nor have they reduced the devastating results of drug addiction. Since the war on drugs began, the overdose death rate has increased by a factor of eight; going from 3.8 deaths by overdose per 100,000 people in 1970 to a staggering 31.3 deaths per 100,000, today. In 2024, Americans were more likely to die from an overdose than from diabetes. Deaths aren’t the only result of drug addiction. Crime, poverty, and even child abuse is driven by drug addiction. This crisis is only getting worse, and it will not be solved by doing the same thing over and over again.
Alex believes that in order to solve the drug crisis in America, we must embrace radical new solutions that focus on treatment for users rather than incarceration. We start by following what Michigan, Colorado, and 22 other states have already done: we start by legalizing marijuana on a federal level. Marijuana has been shown to have less short and long term effects than alcohol and, most importantly, is not as addictive. Next, we tax it; and we use that new income to fund treatment. Since states began legalizing marijuana, they have collected billions of dollars in tax revenue every year that would have otherwise ended up in the pockets of drug dealers. Alex believes that the drug crisis can be solved. But it must be solved by a government that treats its citizens rather than incarcerating them.