I believe more is at stake in the next presidential election than in my 24 years of public service.

With climate chaos, gun violence and increased polarization threatening our communities, we need a leader who can bring people together and get things done. That is why I will be voting for three-term Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the Democratic primary on Feb. 11.

Sen. Klobuchar has consistently demonstrated the ability to address our country’s problems.

She was ranked as the No. 1 most effective Democratic senator, passing more than 100 bills as lead Democrat.

Before we can address the major problems we face as a country, we need someone, other than the current president, who can be elected. Sen. Klobuchar has a track-record of not just winning, but winning big. She prevailed in red and purple Midwestern counties that President Donald Trump won in 2016. Her honesty, intelligence, humor, experience and vision are exactly what we need in the White House.

Especially important to New Hampshire, Sen. Klobuchar has “developed the field’s most detailed plan for treating addiction and mental illness,” according to the New York Times. Her $100 billion proposal would fund mental health programs at schools, set stricter standards for insurance providers to cover mental health, create job training programs for recovering addicts and make other critical investments to end the opioid crisis.

More and more people around the country are recognizing Sen. Klobuchar’s merits. The New York Times editorial board recently endorsed her, writing “the senator from Minnesota is the very definition of Midwestern charisma, grit and sticktoitiveness. Her lengthy tenure in the Senate and bipartisan credentials would make her a deal maker (a real one) and uniter for wings of the party – and perhaps the nation.”

To win this election, and remove a divisive president, I support a woman with a progressive vision who will fight for all Americans, someone who can bring people together. Amy Klobuchar can do that. She can unite us as one nation.

Debora B. Pignatelli is the New Hampshire Executive Councilwoman for District 5.

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