Washington, D.C., is a polarizing place.

While this always has been the case, during the past few years it has become mired in bureaucratic red tape, inflexible partisanship and decisions that have been far from beneficial to the masses – including sometimes those here in New Hampshire.

It is abundantly evident that change – meaningful change – is long overdue.

If our country and state are to progress, then strong, bipartisan, fresh-eyed leadership is needed. This is why The Telegraph is endorsing Steve Negron, of Nashua, in the Republican candidate’s bid for U.S. House of Representatives in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District.

A longtime businessman with a focus on economic progress, Negron has the right mindset to return bipartisan compromise to the table and do what’s best for Granite Staters by representing them in Washington. Negron is a retired Air Force officer who has navigated government in the public and private sectors. His work in national security and related Department of Defense clearances make him uniquely poised to advocate for and ensure our country’s safety.

The same is true of his family’s diverse background and his stance on immigration. Negron, whose grandfather came from Mexico in 1921, noted his grandfather entered this country “the right way” and “lawfully,” stressing that the United States is a nation of laws. Negron said he believes citizens should require their elected officials – including the president of the United States – to uphold these laws.

That’s a sentiment that has been lost on Democrats, Negron maintains, accusing three-term incumbent Annie Kuster of blindly following a path down party lines and the mission of Democratic party leader Nancy Pelosi to impeach President Donald Trump.

Negron has been reported as saying such divisive issues, like talks of impeaching the president, should go by the wayside so officials can hone in on core needs and make meaningful efforts to pass legislation that will benefit all of the American people. We agree and believe his focus would be more conducive to doing the will of the constituents who elected him.

Kuster has advocated for improved health care, enhanced gun control and the solvency of Social Security during her terms in office and has championed veterans benefits and services. However, she and Negron differ fundamentally on nearly every issue highlighted during their campaign efforts.

Economically, Negron advocates for an increased emphasis on career and technical education. He says this will allow those in the job market to obtain better, higher-paying positions more quickly, thereby making the economy and overall job market more robust. Negron also sides with President Trump on recent tax cuts. Negron said these cuts allowed him, as a business owner, to add employees and improve his business’ overall health.

In terms of the opioid epidemic, Negron noted $43 million in federal funds are destined for New Hampshire, but said no one took the time to ask police, fire and other front-line officials what is needed to win this fight. He said the drug crisis has gotten worse, not better, during Kuster’s years in office.

As a current state representative and self-described career public servant, Negron notes Washington has too much power, resulting in massive bureaucracy. Congress, he said, shouldn’t tell states how to lower energy costs, should have no significant role in infrastructure projects and should let states control Medicaid spending through block grants.

He advocates for less federal control, fewer tax dollars being taken from hard-working Americans and a common-sense approach to government. “You don’t get what you think you deserve,” Negron said at The Telegraph’s recent candidate forum. “You get what you negotiate.”

He is poised and ready to negotiate on behalf of all New Hampshire residents, and we believe he is well-suited for the critical task at hand in an election he termed the most important in his lifetime.