Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Dr. Amy Chai, a physician, author, and home-educating mom, rose from poverty to serve those with addictions, mental illness, and complex problems. She is a pragmatist with real solutions who is honest, tough, and fair.
She has degrees from the Johns Hopkins U (biology), IU School of Medicine (MD), U Michigan (Internal Medicine), UVA (General Medicine and MS Epidemiology). She is double boarded in IM and Addiction Medicine.
She took 10 years off to home educate high school, earning a US Presidential Teacher award and earning a “top ten educational book” in Sichuan Province. Her thesis coined the term “learner-centered” education as she worked with medical faculty and medical education.
She has earned a public service award for her volunteer work teaching STEM related material to children in Hartford, CT.
She has a deep commitment to caregivers and veterans, as she worked while caring for two sets of parents through end-of-life care, and her father was a war veteran who suffered from PTSD. She also is committed to preventing mental illness and addiction.
Her husband is a Taiwanese immigrant, and she has successfully raised two adult children. She has worked with a South Sudanese NGO, has supported physician ministries overseas, and has volunteered extensively with her church groups.
She represents those who sacrifice for their families and for their country, and she is stepping up to serve—not to be served.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
Poverty to purpose. We are throwing billions of dollars at poverty and none of it is accounted for or effective. We have more poverty than ever. It is like putting a bandage over a cancer as it festers and grows instead of cutting it out with surgery.
Instead of investing in band aids and lining the pockets of political cronies, I will invest in a scalpel. The root causes of poverty are mental illness, generational trauma, and lack of opportunity. Crime, social ills, and national debt result from bad policy.
We hit poverty with the one-two punch of preventing mental illness (it can be done) and returning to evidence-based education with no agenda other than success.
Poverty will dwindle as youth have purpose, opportunity, and healthy minds.
Mend the Middle Class. Our tax system discourages work. It increases tax on earned income the harder you work. This hurts average Americans who struggle to stay out of poverty while paying their lifeblood on unreasonable government spends.
I would eliminate the self-employment tax. I would shift taxation towards the financial industry and away from earned income. I would work on solutions with small local businesses who are hurt by unfair tax and regulations that advantage larger companies.
I would end foreign and venture capital ownership of single-family homes. The housing market is artificially costly because 30% of homes aren’t owned by families. Homes are for families.
Socialism isn't the answer. Better capitalism is the answer.
Put the health and the care back into healthcare. With passage of the ACA, the costs of healthcare skyrocketed and doctors worked harder and faster to crank people through the office like sausage in a grinder.
People think insurance is the problem, but actually the bigger problem is the for-profit nature of those who extract profit from ownership of doctors.
Data from the U.S. healthcare sector indicates that VCs generate huge profits at the expense of providers, clinicians, and patients. The 2.6 TRILLION taken from healthcare by these people dwarfs profits made by insurance companies, who have a profit caps.
With caps on profits for VCs that own healthcare conglomerates, we can immediately put the next 2.6 trillion back in your pocket.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am very passionate about the prevention of mental illness and addiction. In fact, I am writing a book called "Addiction proof your kids." Because we know the causes, we must invest in prevention. Every addicted patient costs society 2 million dollars. But that is cheap compared to the pain caused by ruined lives. This is my specialty, it is my day job, and I care a lot about this.
Prevention is key to reducing health care costs as well. Medicare spends 200 billion dollars per year on diabetes alone. But we know how to prevent that. Why don't we do that?
I am passionate about environmental causes of chronic illness, and we need to learn how to mitigate this. Building healthy families and relationships is critical.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Jesus, but I know that I am not perfect. But that doesn't mean I won't try.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty. Honesty. Honesty. Honesty, and HONESTY.
I am sick of self-serving liars who do not serve the people that they represent.
Some say that "Honesty is the best policy." But I say that "Honesty MAKES the best policy." I have a master's degree in epidemiology, and I understand statistics. I also know how word games and manipulated statistics can mislead people. This is how bad policy gets implemented time and time again.
I have zero reasons to lie, and I have no desire for power. I just want to fix problems and do it with data, and pragmatism, and honesty. I can be mistaken at times, and if I am wrong, I will admit it. But I won't lie.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
A representative in the House of Representatives is elected to represent the people of her district and to listen carefully to the concerns that they have.
Since US Congress is a federal office, it is important to have a deep understanding of federal issues as well as international issues.
I also believe VERY strongly that it is the duty of a US Representative to represent the United States as a sovereign entity and to support measures that maintain US sovereignty at all times. This means that although we support allies, we support America and Americans first. I do not believe that a US Representative should impede the enforcement of border security, ever.
No Representative should ever advocate for political violence, and they should not engage in rhetoric that is likely to incite violence.
Representatives represent the PEOPLE and the rights of the PEOPLE of the United States. Not the rights of their sponsors or of foreign interests. To do otherwise is an egregious breach of trust.
What legacy would you like to leave?
My legacy is my children, of course. But also, I am going to leave a legacy of a lifetime of service.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
THE MOON LANDING. It was 100% real, for all the haters out there. I wanted to be an astronaut so badly, but I was way too nearsighted. I also recall Walter Cronkite and the "Vietnam death toll" numbers that were reported daily.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job (besides lawn mowing and babysitting) was as a janitor. I am very proud of my ability to use a "Hild" buffing machine to make the floors super shiny. That thing is very hard to control, and it swings you around if you are not careful. I held this role for $20 per day when I was in high school. Sadly, I was the one slim enough to get boosted into the roof to clean out bird droppings. This led to an incredibly serious medical condition that nearly took my life. I donated 100% of my salary to the church, because I did not realize that I was actually the poor person at the time, and I was exclusively interested in "saving the world" which meant helping other people.
I APPLIED for a job as a newspaper deliverer, because I had done my brother's route for years and he was moving up to a position of fry cook at the local mall. When I went to ask if I could have the job, they LAUGHED and said, "Nobody will respect a paperGIRL!" And that is the story of why I never got paid for delivering papers. My brother's route actually helped our family because we were incredibly poor and we needed his money for food.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Only one favorite book? I love George Eliot, and Middlemarch. I felt so much like I related to her as expressed through her main character. I love Infinite Jest, and anything by DFW, because his humor is so genius. I love Snow Crash and really find this prescient book to be the best of Neal Stephenson's books. Of course I must also mention the Bible, as it was one of the few books that I owned in childhood, and I have memorized entire books of the Bible. And yes, I have written four books, I write a Substack, I am published in Forbes, I have won an award for speculative fiction, and I am currently writing a book, as always.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I have yet to write her.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
My biggest struggle in life was social isolation and poverty. My mother was schizophrenic, and our home was hand-built by my father, who had PTSD from the Korean war. I never saw him asleep at night. I could hear him walking back and forth all night. At that time, we had zero understanding of mental illness; I just thought our life was weird. We had no friends. We never had a friend over to our home. We had no relatives because Dad was an orphan and Mom's few relations were quite far away. It was only the four of us, and whatever animals I found. We had no social circle, so I had no idea how to relate to others. That led to severe bullying for many years. I was discovered by some "education researchers" who sought unusual kids, but I fell through the research cracks because we had no phone and my mother made me hide behind the furniture when people came near. I had zero idea about college; I took the PSAT simply to escape English class. That was when I was accepted to Johns Hopkins. So, I ended up at an elite college with literally zero idea what I was doing. I could not afford books. I could not afford food. I could not legally sign a lease to live anywhere because I had nobody to cosign for me. I ended up living with roommates who added me on as a subletter, bought the groceries, and paid the bills. Luckily, I had a boyfriend who helped me and guided me to medical school and tolerated my oddness. He and I have been married for 38 years now. Gradually, I overcame my obstacles, and found that I loved medicine.
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
Unfortunately, the uniqueness of the House is undercut by masses of staffers and bureaucrats who write the legislation, and by partisan pressure to do nothing but fundraise and posture for the cameras. That is not my intention.
I intend to lead with ideas that represent solutions, and I intend to craft bills and resolutions that resonate with my constituents instead of acting for dollars.
The House is supposed to actually represent thoughtful and experienced people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, it currently represents cash and TikTok.
But it still has people working together in DC, and working together is supposed to transcend partisanship. I would like to see the collegial culture of the House return to DC.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
No. Representatives are supposed to represent people, not the government. When people do nothing but rise through the ranks from dog catcher to organizer to mayor, they are entering a bubble that actually excludes them from the reality of the people that they serve. Also, many of the career politicians have never actually done anything other than work in government. I can't imagine having that as a life goal.
Also, the knowledge base of career politicians is frighteningly narrow. And often shallow as well. That is not what we need in politics. We need people who have experienced work and life, who have achieved in the communities that they seek to represent.
How can anyone create legislation or solve problems as a representative when they don't actually know anything?
It may be helpful to have been around the block in politics, but only because back-stabbing and brown nosing has become so important and it may be necessary to know who to avoid and who to ask for favors. But that is what staffers should do.
What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
The greatest challenge to the United States over the next decade is our unsustainable national debt. The debt to gdp ratio at this time is in very dangerous territory. The interest alone is unsustainable, and the interest goes towards entities that do not have America's interests at heart.
The national debt is worsened by those who think that taxpayer money is there for the stealing. I am a supporter of DOGE and the cutting of improper spends. I am in favor of the most radical transparency in the history of the US. I would support a dedicated portal with absolutely every dime of taxpayer money accounted for and accessible to citizen watchdogs.
This is America's blood, sweat, and tears. It is not a magical genie that grants wishes in tens and hundreds of billions.
Debt worsens income inequality. Income inequality leads to political instability and misery. Our leadership needs to be transparent and accountable. PERIOD.
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes. And I think two terms is the right term limit as well.
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I am a strong advocate for term limits.
I firmly believe that lack of term limits is the cause of corruption culture and dark money in politics.
If elected, I will limit myself to two (2) terms. I will also introduce LEGISLATION for term limits. And will publicly shame anyone who does not vote for them.
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I love Kennedy's humor and his ability to cross examine people. He is probably my favorite. I love Massie's commitment to fiscal restraint and peace. I love Rand Paul's courage. But to be fair, I am none of the above and I would not model myself after anyone. I am a woman, and I have had very unique experiences that most people have not had. I have an open mind, and I want to see evidence. I will change my mind if I am completely convinced with evidence. Yes, I have a Libertarian background, but I am very pragmatic, and I would call myself "Liberty leaning." I will model myself after accurate data and solutions to problems.
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
As a doctor who treats fentanyl addicted patients, I have stories too numerous to count. All of them pointing to bad policy, backwards incentive structures, failed education, and lack of mental health support.
Let me tell you a story about a primary care patient. One older woman came in for a visit, and immediately I saw that something was very wrong. I gently tried to get to the bottom of her problem, and I discovered that she was actively suicidal. I had to keep talking to her so that I could determine whether or not to commit her for a 72-hour hold. As I discovered she did not have an effective plan to kill herself at the ready, I spent time trying to determine if the depression was situational. It was. She had been watching TV, and the news was scaring her with a "fearmongering" narrative. We all know that the operatives use fear to motivate voters. Fear and rage are extremely powerful. The narratives are shaped by professionals who understand psychology very well. And it is being leveraged against real people for partisan advantage. She is not the only person who has been suicidal for this reason. We have had families broken up when young people were told that their parents were literal Nazis. The distress of estrangement is fostering huge amounts of damage to MY PATIENTS. This actually fills me with rage. Congratulations, the partisan narrative his making people kill themselves. Politics is destroying real people, real relationships, and real mental health. This needs to stop NOW.
Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?
As a representative, you are called upon to represent everyone, not just a small segment of society. It is possible to compromise on details of policy without compromising on core values, and that is at time necessary. "Single Party" type rule is a disaster; it is oppressive to everyone. I know because I live in Connecticut. We have a trifecta and a supermajority. There is no need for anyone to care about the people who will be harmed by a policy that they want rammed through for whatever reason. It is mandatory to listen and consider the issue carefully. But I will not compromise on data, fact, accountability, transparency, or truth. Much of our need for "compromise" is ideological, not pragmatic. I do not believe in dancing around the truth or spinning it to create a false narrative or generate fear.
The most important thing to remember is that compromise only "works" when both parties are seeking the same goals. When two parties seek different goals, all bets are off. My goal is to preserve American sovereignty and make life better for all Americans. My goal is not to gain dominance for my special interests. My goal is not to prepare the way for global governance. I will not compromise on those goals. I will compromise on ways to reach those goals.
The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?
I would like to limit the enactment of "unfunded mandates" originating in the House. But on the question of legislation that requires funding, I am very interested in 100% transparency and 100% accountability being "baked in" to legislation. Because I feel like legislation becomes too opaque when it reaches the executive structure and that is the point where accountability gets lost. This is a huge priority for me. I would also like to see funding start at zero for annual budgets. These small tweaks would clean up and streamline the implementation of legislation (in my opinion), and would make accountability and outcome analysis easier to accomplish.
How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?
The US House should certainly be very clear about the conflicts of interest of those who might be brought to testify. It should seek alternative voices for all issues whenever possible. I would like to see testimony by people who are not part of the federal bureaucracy to balance what I see as an excessive reliance on federal employees for testimony.
The investigative powers should be used for legislative purposes most commonly, but also for oversight, as has been the tradition in the past. I think diversity of testimony will greatly improve the quality of the testimony that we receive.
What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?
Veterans for America First
Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?
I always ask people what is important to them. I have walked into Democratic headquarters, into festivals, into pride fairs, into Liberty Fest, and into GOP events. Interestingly, people are more alike than they are different. And right now they are all concerned about affordability. It is a big issue. People are hurting.
What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
I am proud of taking time off of my career to home educate middle and high school for both of my kids. I was honored when my son was named the top male high school graduate in the entire state and I was awarded the "US Presidential Teacher" award from the US Dept of Education. This award goes to the most influential teacher in the life of a child who is named top in the state. I guess that was me, since I taught all of the classes.
What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?
The US Government should ensure that the US is the best, the first, and the most ethical nation on earth as we develop AI. Other nations will continue to develop it, and we must not fall behind. But we need human input from real people and the impact that it might have on all of our lives. This does imply some form of a regulatory structure, hopefully one that is responsive to humanity and considers the question of "OUGHT" instead of simply the question of "CAN."
What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?
I would create federal standards with requirements for voter ID and careful monitoring of voter rolls. I would actually like to find a way to require individual states to fill Secretary of the State positions with representatives from each party, including minor parties. My state has become a laughingstock with national spotlights on our inept criminal ballot stuffers. Oh and there is more.
I think that voting should have a maximum of one week of early voting, that ballots should be paper, that election information should be more like Ballotpedia, where representatives are presented with their credentials and ideas, instead of with their cash and sponsors.