I have a much different perspective and background than the current governor.

I grew up in a working-class family, my dad worked in a furniture factory for 45 years, and my mom worked part-time jobs while raising four kids. Right out of law school I turned down jobs at corporate law firms and instead took a job at New Hampshire Legal Assistance, where I helped low- to middle-income Granite Staters, including standing up against Wall Street banks during the Great Recession when their homes and livelihoods were on the line.

In the state Senate, I fought for legislation that would have a real impact on working Granite Staters, including paid family and medical leave, prescription drug legislation to lower costs for seniors and those with diabetes, and a livable minimum wage because no one should work a full-time job and still be unable to put food on the table.

I’ve spent my career in public service looking out for those who have been left out and left behind. Whether it was in the courtrooms or at the state house, I saw that the laws weren’t written with working people in mind – too many were written behind closed doors to benefit lobbyists and corporate campaign contributors and people like Chris Sununu. It’s not just Washington, D.C., it’s right here in New Hampshire too. The wealthy and well-connected have the power and everyday people – those without lobbyists or the governor’s cell-phone number – are left behind.

That’s why I’m running for governor, because we need to break down the barriers for everyday people. Unlike the current governor, I was never gifted a luxury ski resort from my family and I have never used my position to benefit my political allies and campaign contributors. Chris Sununu grew up with everything handed to him and, just like Trump, Sununu has been enriching himself, his family, and his donors at the expense of taxpayers while working families struggle.

We must make Concord work for everyone, not simply corporate special interests. That’s why I led the fight to pass strong anti-corruption bills in the state Senate, including executive branch ethics reform and getting dark money out of our politics. And this year, I doubled down by refusing all campaign donations from corporations, corporate PACs, and LLCs, by releasing 10 years of my tax returns, and I have proposed a campaign finance and government reform plan, the People’s Plan, which is fundamental to ensuring that Concord works for the people, not special interests and the governor’s political allies. Like Trump, Sununu has refused to release his tax returns.

Especially right now we need policies that help working families, like paid family and medical leave, job training, and expanded access to health care. All bills that I led on but were vetoed by an out-of-touch governor who does not understand what working families of this state are going through, right now.

How New Hampshire continues to re-open the economy will answer the fundamental question of whose side are you on. What matters more: corporate profits and Sununu’s family and friends, or working people and working families on the front lines? On Nov. 3 New Hampshire voters will decide whether they want a government that works for Donald Trump and Chris Sununu and their special interests or if they want a government that truly looks out for them.

(Dan Feltes is a former legal aid attorney with New Hampshire Legal Assistance and lives in the South End of Concord with his wife, Erin, and their two daughters, Iris and Josie. Dan serves as state senator for Concord, Henniker, Hopkinton, Penacook and Warner, and as the Senate’s majority leader. In the 2020 election, Dan is running to serve as governor.)