Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service).

Social workers prioritize service to others and work to meet basic human needs, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Service means showing up when people are overwhelmed, scared, or navigating systems that weren’t built for them. It looks like helping families find food, transportation, housing, or medical care — often while they’re in crisis. It’s doing the work quietly, consistently, and without expecting recognition.

In Congress, service means putting Mainers before politics or profit. It means supporting federal policies that meet people’s basic needs. I will fight for universal healthcare, expand access to SNAP and child tax credits, and support legislation that helps families afford housing, utilities, and transportation. My role won’t be to serve donors or party leadership — it will be to serve Maine.

Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.

Social workers challenge injustice and work to change systems that harm and exclude marginalized communities. Social injustice shows up when families must choose between rent and healthcare, when rural communities lose hospitals, and when disabled people wait years for services they’re legally entitled to. These outcomes are the result of policy decisions that prioritize profit over people and leave entire communities behind.

In Congress, social justice means changing the systems that create harm, not only managing the damage afterward. Justice demands bold, structural change. I will support tribal sovereignty, pursue a humane foreign policy, advance racial justice, and defend reproductive justice as healthcare justice.

Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs. Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients and to the broader society. They seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

Every individual has inherent value and deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and self-determination. Honoring dignity means recognizing that people are experts in their own lives. It means listening without judgment, respecting personal choices, and understanding that someone’s circumstances do not define their worth. Whether someone has a disability, is aging, undocumented, or incarcerated — their humanity is not up for debate.

In Congress, dignity requires advancing and fighting for policy that recognizes people are not disposable; regardless of income, gender identity, immigration status, age, or zip code. I will fight for the right to age with dignity, just treatment for veterans, strong LGBTQ+ protections, and an immigration system rooted in humanity, not punishment.

Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.

Human relationships are central to healing, resilience, and meaningful social change. Real change happens through trust, connection, and community. Relationships between families, caregivers, neighbors, and providers often fill the gaps left by broken systems. When people feel seen and supported, they are better able to survive crisis and advocate for themselves.

In Congress, progress happens through human connection; between people, communities, land, and opportunity. I will support an economy that works for all, prioritize local businesses over megacorporations, invest in our public schools, and strengthen transportation and infrastructure so every community can thrive.

Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated.

Social workers act honestly and responsibly, guided by ethical standards and accountability. Trust is built when people know you will not compromise your values for convenience. Integrity looks like telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. It means acknowledging mistakes, setting clear boundaries, and advocating for the right thing, even when doing so is unpopular.

In Congress, Integrity requires government that serves the public interest; not corporations, billionaires, or foreign influence. I will fight to overturn Citizens United, ban corporate PAC money, strengthen congressional ethics rules, and increase transparency so elected officials answer to voters, not donors. I promise to defend civil liberties, and reject authoritarianism in all forms.

Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Social workers commit to lifelong learning and effective, evidence-informed practice. Competence means continually learning from research, from experience, and from the people most impacted by systems. It means recognizing when something isn’t working and being willing to adapt.

In Congress, competence means supporting evidence-based policy and evaluating outcomes. I will back legislation that funds program evaluation, invests in public health and research, and ensures federal programs are working as intended. Policy should be guided by data, lived experience, and measurable results. I will support responsible AI regulation, protect the right to repair, defend the postal service, and safeguard public lands so federal policy delivers real results for the people it’s meant to serve.