My oldest son is a corrections officer, and I support the role of law enforcement to protect our communities. I also believe criminal justice reform is necessary to address racial bias and mass incarceration. 

Mass incarceration has tremendous mental health and economic costs on this country. In fact, the U.S. houses 25% of the world’s prison population.

Most Americans are in favor of reforming our criminal justice system. The old way isn’t working, and we can use common sense bipartisan solutions for safer communities. Rural communities have a particularly high prevalence of opioid-related crime. Investment should be focused on treatment options, rather than burdening taxpayers with the cost of unnecessary incarceration.

I am also in favor of the universal legalization and taxation of marijuana, including criminal expungement, to increase federal and state economic revenue and reduce incarceration for minor drug-related offenses.