In a video released Tuesday morning on Facebook, Peter Jacob, 2016 Democratic Candidate for New Jersey’s 7^th District, declared the launch of an exploratory committee for a U.S. Congressional race in 2018. In the video, Jacob retells the story of his parents’ immigration to the United States in search of a better life for their children.

“America was built on that hope, on that opportunity.” Jacob notes, “But it was different back then, because back then, the middle and working class actually had a seat at the decision-making table. Now the ability for the average person to move up in the world, no matter how hard she or he works, is rapidly diminishing. For the first time in our history, the generation being born right now is expected to have a worse life than the one preceding it.”

Jacob goes on to blame the corrupt United States political system for high drug prices, failure to address climate change as a national crisis, and the housing market crash of 2008. “When polluters pump billions into making sure their executives have high ranking positions in the government, are we really going to be able to do anything about climate change?” He continues, “We need to change this. That is why I am launching an exploratory committee as the first step for a run for U.S. Congress in 2018 – because we need a new kind of leadership that works for everyone.”

With the recent flip to blue in the neighboring 5^th District, and the positive results seen last year in the 7^th, residents are gearing up for a fight. Last year, Peter Jacob, a Bernie Sanders-backed candidate, edged his way to an 11% loss margin against Lance.