America Turns 250 This Week

In two days, America will celebrate the Fourth of July and its 250th birthday.

That’s an extraordinary milestone; very few nations in history have endured for two and a half centuries as a constitutional democracy. Through triumph and tragedy, through war and peace, through moments of incredible progress and periods of painful injustice, Americans have continued striving toward something bigger than ourselves.

That’s something worth celebrating. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about the challenges facing our country as we approach this milestone of a birthday.

I’m talking about the chaos and division sowed by this administration and, of course, the events that unfolded on January 6th, 2021.

What was supposed to be a peaceful transfer of power turned into a day of violence when a crowd of insurrectionists raided the Capitol building: glass breaking, people yelling, rioters – many of them armed.

When you’re a former professional football player in a situation like that, people unsurprisingly look to you for protection. In these moments, political fights and parties cease to matter, and you’re all just people trying to survive, worried about making it home to your family.

That day, I texted my wife, Aly, who was seven months pregnant with our second son, “Whatever happens, I love you.” And then I took off my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and got ready to take on whatever came through that door.

Thankfully, it never came to that. But we did come closer to losing our democracy that day than I think a lot of people realize.

And although it happened more than five years ago, the threat to our democracy is just as real today as it was then.

From glorifying himself with grandiose monuments, to driving us into reckless and immoral wars, pushing up the cost of living for everyday Americans, and gerrymandering minority voters out of power, Donald Trump and his Republican allies have continued their assault on our democracy.

Yet, despite it all, I remain hopeful. Because history teaches us that progress isn’t guaranteed. It’s won.

Throughout the years, every expansion of freedom, every advance toward equality, every protection of voting rights – it happened because ordinary Americans refused to give up on their country. And I believe we’re living through another one of these moments.

Across Texas and the United States, people are organizing, speaking out, and demanding leaders who believe public office is about service, not self-interest.

Even after Republicans racially gerrymandered districts like the one I’m running to represent, I still believe the people are stronger than the lawmakers trying to draw them out of power. I believe our democracy is worth fighting for, and I believe our best days are still ahead.

So this Fourth of July, I’ll celebrate with gratitude for those who expanded America’s promise before us, for those continuing that work today, and because the American story is still being written.

I’m running for Congress because I believe we can restore dignity to public service, defend our democracy, and build a government that works for everyone.

Thank you, and happy Fourth to you and yours.

– Colin

If you believe America’s next 250 years should be defined by integrity, opportunity, and a government that puts people first, I’d be honored to have your support.
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