Frank Golden

Frank Golden's career experience includes working as a nurse practitioner.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Frank Golden, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, small business owner, and someone who has spent years sitting across from regular people trying to survive a system that seems designed to make life harder the moment you start struggling.

I own a mental health practice here in Pennsylvania. Every day, I see people dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, burnout, and financial pressure. I have watched people work full-time and still fall behind. That is not the America I want. There should be more than just grinding month after month. People should not have to choose between medicine, groceries, childcare, or keeping the lights on.

I left a secure job to build my own practice. It nearly broke me financially. Insurance companies delayed payments. Bureaucracy piled up. There were moments I did not know if the business would survive. But we kept going, and today we serve hundreds of people.

The people in Washington writing the laws have never lived like we do. They have no idea how expensive it is to be poor.

I am running for Congress because regular people deserve someone who understands what life actually feels like. I am not a polished politician. I am a regular person with real-world experience, willing to listen, willing to fight for fairness, and willing to ask why the government keeps making life harder for the people doing everything right.

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?

A Fair Shot for Working People... Too many people are working hard and still falling behind. I’m running to help fix the systems that make it harder to get ahead and ensure regular people can live, not just survive.Real-World Experience, Not Politics... As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and small business owner—not a career politician—I understand what families and small businesses are dealing with because I’ve lived it.Independent Leadership That Puts People First... I’m not here to represent a party—I’m here to represent people. I’ll support what works, challenge what doesn’t, and focus on practical solutions that actually improve lives.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about policies that support working families and create a fair opportunity to succeed. This includes strengthening Social Security by addressing structural funding issues, improving healthcare affordability—especially high deductibles that prevent people from accessing care—and making childcare more affordable so families can work and move forward without being held back by cost barriers.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to the people who keep fighting every day despite feeling like the system is stacked against them. The single mother who finally buys her first home at 47 after years of sacrifice and working nonstop just to stay afloat. The individuals who have faced trauma, loss, financial hardship, or setbacks and still find a way to keep moving forward. The people who have been beaten down, denied a fair shot, and refuse to give up.

Those are the examples I follow: resilience, persistence, and determination. They deserve leaders who actually see them, understand the pressure they are under, and are willing to fight for a system that gives ordinary people a real chance to succeed.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important qualities for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and the willingness to fight for regular people who feel forgotten by the system. Leaders should understand what life actually costs right now because they have lived it themselves. Millions of Americans are working harder than ever and still falling behind. Families should not have to choose between medicine, groceries, childcare, or keeping the lights on. Public service should be about solving real problems, demanding accountability, and making life more affordable and fair for ordinary people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to fight for the people of this district, especially the regular families who feel like they are working harder every year just to fall further behind. Government should be focused on making life more affordable, lowering the pressure on working people, and fixing systems that punish ordinary Americans while rewarding the well-connected.

That means listening to constituents, understanding what daily life actually costs, and fighting for practical solutions that help people move forward instead of merely survive. Families should not have to choose between medicine, groceries, childcare, housing, or keeping the lights on. An elected official should be accountable to the people who sent them there, not donors, party leadership, or special interests.

The job is not to become part of Washington. The job is to bring the voices and struggles of this district into Washington and demand fairness, accountability, and real solutions.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as someone who helped bring the focus of government back to regular people—the ones who work hard, show up every day, and keep this country running. Too many people feel invisible to the political system while costs keep rising and life keeps getting harder. If I can help shift the conversation back toward affordability, fairness, and the everyday struggles families face, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

I also hope people remember that I was never interested in becoming part of the political establishment. Honestly, if establishment politicians are uncomfortable with me because I refuse to stop fighting for regular people, then I would consider that a good thing. Change does not happen by protecting broken systems. It happens when people are willing to challenge them.

I want this campaign to show that everyday people can still step forward, speak honestly, fight for their communities, and make a difference.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Like most regular people, my first job was in fast food, working for a massive corporation at minimum wage. I worked there for about two years. It taught me responsibility, customer service, and what it means to work hard for every dollar you earn. More importantly, it gave me an early understanding of the pressures that working people face every day—showing up, doing your job, and still worrying about money. Those experiences stay with you, and they shape how you see the world.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the biggest struggles in my life has been trying to build stability while feeling like every step forward comes with another setback. Like many Americans, I’ve worked hard, tried to do the right thing, support my family, and build something meaningful, only to feel at times like the system keeps pushing back.

Finding balance between work, financial pressure, and family has not always been easy. There were periods in my life where I was searching for direction, trying to figure out my path, and wondering whether hard work alone was enough to get ahead anymore.

The reason this matters to me politically is that I know my story is not unique. Most regular Americans are dealing with the same pressure: working hard, trying to stay afloat, and hoping the next setback does not erase the progress they fought to build. That reality shaped how I see government, fairness, and what leadership should actually focus on.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique because it was designed to be the part of government closest to the people. Members serve shorter terms and are directly accountable to the communities they represent. The idea was that the House would reflect the everyday concerns, struggles, and priorities of ordinary Americans, especially working families.

I think that original purpose is part of what made the institution important, but I also believe Congress has lost its way over time. Too often, the voices carrying the most influence are not regular people trying to afford housing, groceries, healthcare, or childcare. The system has become heavily influenced by major donors, powerful interests, and people with access and connections.

The House should be the place where the struggles of ordinary Americans are brought directly into government and fought for openly. At its best, it is supposed to serve as the voice of the people, not the voice of whoever can spend the most money to influence it.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

I believe one of the greatest challenges facing the United States over the next decade is restoring the idea that hard work can still lead to a stable and decent life. Right now, too many Americans are doing everything right and still falling behind. People are working longer hours, carrying more stress, and struggling to afford housing, healthcare, childcare, groceries, and basic stability. That is creating frustration, hopelessness, and a growing belief that the system no longer works for regular people.

If we continue down that path, division and anger in this country will only grow. People lose trust in institutions when they feel ignored, unheard, or trapped financially no matter how hard they work.

We need to rebuild a system that gives people a fair shot again—where responsibility, effort, and persistence are rewarded instead of constantly punished by rising costs and bureaucratic systems disconnected from real life. Government should not exist to make people dependent or hold them back. It should help create the conditions where ordinary people can build stable lives, support their families, and move forward with dignity.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise only works when everyone is expected to give something. For too long, working Americans have been the ones constantly told to accept a little less, work a little harder, wait a little longer, and sacrifice a little more, while large corporations, billionaires, and the well-connected continue to do just fine. So yes, compromise is necessary when it applies to everyone, not just working people.

I believe in working with people who have different ideas and finding practical solutions when possible. That is part of governing responsibly. But there are certain principles I do not believe we should compromise on: regular people deserve a fair shot, hard work should lead to stability, and government should be accountable to the people struggling to keep their heads above water.

Compromise cannot mean asking working families to carry the burden every single time. At some point, we have to be willing to stand up and say the system should work for ordinary Americans, too.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The first historical event I remember was the gas shortages in the 1970s. I was a young kid in the backseat while my parents waited in long lines to fill up. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but looking back, it showed me how national issues directly affect families and everyday life.

Note: Golden submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on May 27, 2026.

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April 13 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner and small-business owner who has lived through the same struggles many families face. I’m running for Congress because too many people are working hard and still falling behind. We need leadership that understands real life and is willing to fight for a fair shot for everyday people.

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?

A Fair Shot for Working People...

Too many people are working hard and still falling behind. I’m running to help fix the systems that make it harder to get ahead and ensure regular people can live, not just survive.Real-World Experience, Not Politics...

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner and small business owner—not a career politician—I understand what families and small businesses are dealing with because I’ve lived it.Independent Leadership That Puts People First...

I’m not here to represent a party—I’m here to represent people. I’ll support what works, challenge what doesn’t, and focus on practical solutions that actually improve lives.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about policies that support working families and create a fair opportunity to succeed. This includes strengthening Social Security by addressing structural funding issues, improving healthcare affordability—especially high deductibles that prevent people from accessing care—and making childcare more affordable so families can work and move forward without being held back by cost barriers.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to the people who keep fighting every day. The single mother who buys her first home at 47. The individuals who have faced trauma and still find a way forward. The people who have been beaten down, denied a fair shot, and refuse to give up. Those are the examples I follow—resilience, persistence, and determination. They deserve leadership that sees them, understands them, and fights for them.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important qualities for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and real-world understanding. Leaders should be honest about what they can and cannot do, take responsibility for their decisions, and remain accessible to the people they serve. Just as important is having lived experience outside of politics—understanding what it’s like to work, raise a family, and navigate the systems they are trying to fix. Public service should be about results, not rhetoric.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to serve everyday people—the individuals and families who make up the backbone of this country. That means listening to constituents, representing their interests honestly, and working to improve the systems that affect their daily lives. It also means being accountable, making informed decisions, and focusing on practical solutions that help people move forward, not just get by.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as someone who helped bring the focus of our government back to regular people—the ones who work hard, show up every day, and keep this country running. If I can help shift the system so it works better for them, then I’ve done what I set out to do. I also hope my campaign shows that you don’t have to be a career politician to step forward—that everyday people can run, can win, and can make a difference.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at McDonald’s, where I earned minimum wage at the time. I worked there for about two years. It was an early introduction to responsibility, customer service, and the reality of what it means to work for every dollar you earn.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the struggles in my life has been finding stability and direction. As a child, my family moved often as my parents worked to build a better life, and I often felt like a loner because of it. As an adult, I struggled with my weight and with finding my path. It wasn’t until my 30s that I found my calling in nursing. Those experiences shaped who I am and taught me resilience, perspective, and the importance of not giving up.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is unique because it was designed to be the closest body to the people, with members directly elected and serving shorter terms to stay connected to their constituents. It is meant to reflect the voice and concerns of everyday Americans. While many feel that the connection has weakened over time, the core purpose of the House remains giving the public a direct and active role in shaping government.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

I believe one of the greatest challenges facing the United States over the next decade is restoring trust that the system can work for everyday people. Too many individuals are working hard and still falling behind, which has led to frustration, division, and a loss of confidence in both government and opportunity itself. We need to rebuild a system that provides a fair shot—where hard work, responsibility, and doing the right thing can actually lead to stability and progress. At the same time, we have to move away from seeing government as either a barrier or a handout, and instead refocus it as a structure that supports people in moving forward.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary for effective policymaking, but it should never come at the expense of core values. People can have different ideas about how to achieve shared goals, and that’s where compromise is both appropriate and important. But our guiding principles—fairness, accountability, and doing what’s right for the people—should remain constant.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The first historical event I remember was the gas shortages in the 1970s. I was a young kid in the backseat while my parents waited in long lines to fill up. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but looking back, it showed me how national issues directly affect families and everyday life.