The days of convincing people that I belong in this race are over, and it’s now crystal clear: our entire political ecosystem needs a reboot.

I recently received a courtesy call from a journalist informing me of my illogical exclusion from an upcoming debate that will only include the two establishment candidates in the race for New Jersey’s Third Congressional District, one of whom I decisively beat in the Mercer County Convention. Doing this is a lazy and blatant attempt to undercut my serious candidacy and pigeonhole me as a political outsider.

In New Jersey, political gatekeeping has kept us from being a true democracy. The recent elimination of the anti-democratic county line system is a huge win and provides hope. We’ve taken a vital step toward a fairer electoral process by removing this barrier. Candidates who have coasted to victory in the past must now engage directly with voters, demonstrating their merit through policies and connecting with their constituents with grassroots support. However, the battle for reform is not over, and we must confront and fight to change biased political machines where candidates are coronated before the voting even starts.

Competition is the heartbeat of our nation – from entrepreneurship to sports and certainly in politics. As a watchdog actor, the media plays a crucial role in amplifying those diverse voices more than ever, especially during primary elections, when voters decide who gets the party nomination. In today’s landscape, our democracy’s core principles of inclusivity and progress are under scrutiny. We need fresh voices and ideas more than ever, and I am in this race for that exact reason—we need a new generation of leadership in Washington. Electing the same type of establishment politicians will only result in more of the same gridlock that is defined by a do-nothing Congress. It’s time for the voters of New Jersey’s Third to break that cycle.

Public service isn’t something anyone’s entitled to. It must be earned through hard work, and I am committed and determined to gain voters’ trust. Gathering signatures for the ballot takes a more significant effort for newcomers, as we don’t have clipboards that get passed around a room of delegate circles or Democratic Clubs. I take immense pride in every signature I received knocking on doors in my district, and I earned my right to be on the ballot and to be heard the same as all my opponents. Attempts to exclude me are bad faith, further deteriorate democracy, and reinforce why voters are disenchanted with politics.

Furthermore, gatekeeping breeds corruption and inefficiency. When power is concentrated in the hands of a few, as we see in daily headlines, it creates fertile ground for backroom deals, cronyism, and unethical behavior. This undermines the integrity of governance and public confidence in the ability of elected officials to serve the people’s interests.

This gatekeeping only perpetuates the unfortunate and untenable tendency for power to become concentrated in the hands of too few in New Jersey. This has been the case for decades. Well, change is finally coming.

As Thomas Jefferson said, “Institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”  That’s precisely why I’m running. There must be space at the table for new voices like mine, who represent a new and younger generation, a fresh perspective, and are motivated to bring the country forward.

Reforming New Jersey’s political system will be challenging, but building a fairer, more inclusive society is essential. It requires a concerted effort from residents, activists, journalists, and policymakers to challenge the status quo and demand change. Only then can we create a political system that reflects the will of the people. I aim to facilitate opportunities for political newcomers to run for office without facing the barriers established political systems pose and be a voice for the people I represent.

I call on any NJ-03 Democratic debate to include all candidates.

Sarah Schoengood is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 3rd District.