Priorities — Jenna Preston

Why I Am Running

"I know what keeps Americans up at night, because they tell me."

I am running because I believe this country needs someone who is trained to not only listen, but a leader who will advocate and fight for fair policies that take care of all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. My focus will be to stop the cycle of stress and help our country feel heard, healthier, and protected. When we can't afford food, struggle to pay rent, a mortgage, or medical bills, and feel our personal freedoms are at risk of being taken away, we can feel stressed, anxious and even depressed.

Who better than a therapist, a psychologist to lead us through this time.

These are my key areas of focus:

Issue

Health Care

Leverage my experience as a clinical psychologist to raise awareness that mental health & health care issues are economic issues. Increase support, programs, access, and funding for quality mental/behavioral health programs and providers in our district.
Advocate for affordable and accessible health care for all – especially low-income individuals and families and those residing in rural areas.
Educate constituents and other policy makers about issues such as stress, addiction, depression, neurodiversity, anxiety, suicidality, loneliness and trauma being bipartisan concerns that affect all areas of life and every family.
Work to protect agencies such as the NIH/NIMH, CDC and SAMHSA so they remain available for all of us.
Support funding to keep our rural hospitals operational.
Protect Medicare and Medicaid (36% of CO's state budget). Work to reinstate aspects of these programs eliminated by HR1 (2025) that are harming our residents and rural hospitals.
Support funding for scientific research and innovation that prevent, treat and cure major illnesses and conditions.
Ensure women maintain the ability to make autonomous decisions about their own bodies and healthcare.
Advocate for national, affordable childcare options for working families by supporting funding for childcare programs such as the "Childcare for Every Community Act."
Support and simplify federal policy and funding for elder care and loved ones who care for them.

Issue

Security

Oppose illegal border crossings. Period. Work to fix the immigration system that this country was built on to allow vetted, appropriate people to legally enter our country.
Create a path for migrant workers to provide vital work on our farmlands and other industries in our district.
Too many people say, "people kill people" and "gun violence is a mental health issue," yet they don't help people access mental health care. Defend the Second Amendment, while strengthening firearm laws aimed at protecting our citizens. As a member of congress and a clinical psychologist, I would support ongoing legislation that promotes "Red Flag laws" in every state.
Only fund and support federal law enforcement agencies that safeguard our communities and promote peace of mind and uphold the constitution. Protect and require due process.
Increase funding for our military to preserve our leadership position in the world. Support research on the vital role of neurodiversity (e.g., autism) in today’s military.
Ensure that federally funded Space Command, and the defense jobs it creates, remain in Colorado.
Increase national support, recognition, and services for our military spouses and families.
Promote national service programs like AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and FEMA Corps.
Support legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act [KOSA] and reforming Section 230 to regulate and hold social media and AI companies accountable if they harm our children.
Amend federal law 42 U.S. Code 1983 "Section 1983," by adding "federal officers" as governmental officials Americans could sue if their constitutional rights are violated.

Issue

Fiscal Responsibility

Improve the balance of wealth among our nation’s citizens. Have billionaires pay their fair share of taxes. Reduce taxes on middle-class workers and our poorest.
Bring down the national debt by increasing revenue (see previous bullet) and balancing our federal budget. It is not acceptable or viable that we pay one trillion dollars (and counting) in interest annually toward our national debt, making it the most expensive item in the federal budget.
Promote fiscal accountability among elected officials, including requiring transparency and accountability for behaviors such as insider trading and corruption. Create policy to bar elected officials, and close family members, found guilty of such behaviors, from holding future office.
Reform campaign finance. Running for political office should not be reserved for the wealthy. Work to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court's Citizens United decision and the negative influence of super PACs (i.e. AIPAC) on our elections.
Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Example: create an option on Federal Tax Forms to ‘opt-out’ from receiving Social Security benefits.
Bring down inflation by investing in programs that make cost of living affordable. The price of eggs, bacon, and filling a fuel tank is too high, adds to stress, and prevents Americans from investing in the things they need to get through their daily lives.
Support small, family-owned farms and businesses, that are vital to our economy - through government assistance and decreased complicated regulations.
Invest in education. Create a plan that increases funding for public education.
Oppose tariffs that hurt American businesses and consumers who end up paying for them.
Support term limits in the Senate and Congress supported by the majority of Americans. Allowing new ideas, balanced power, and refocusing on the needs of the people instead of creating career politicians.

Issue

Land Usage

Be the voice in Congress for landowners, especially farmers, to protect their rights regarding water, development, energy, drilling, etc., on their land.
Support our farmers (big and small) especially through the devastating impact of tariffs. Work with the local CSU Extension Program (i.e. AgrAbility).
Maintain protection of federal lands in Colorado and include protections for Colorado state parks and open spaces.
Support federal funding for infrastructure making Colorado’s playground (e.g., skiing, hiking, camping, etc.) more affordable and accessible for Colorado residents.
Support programs and innovation that create a long-term vision and viable plan to address concerns related to water shortages, land usage, energy, and development in our District.