Last week I spent time with one of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ most trusted advisors — his wife, Jane. During her visit to Hawaii, we visited with veterans, Native Hawaiian leaders and community members from across the state.

Jane listened carefully to their concerns, answered their questions, and relayed the priorities and initiatives that Sen. Sanders has been committed to for decades — pay equity, taking care of our veterans, ensuring access to higher education and protecting our great nation.

Many people have asked me why I stepped down from my position as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee so I could endorse Bernie Sanders for president.

In that position, I had to remain neutral, but I grew increasingly frustrated that the most important question of war and peace was not being discussed.

Having served in a medical unit while deployed to Iraq, I saw firsthand the cost of war every single day.

My experience drove home the need for a commander-in-chief with the military mindset and sound judgment to make the hard decisions about when it is necessary to use our military power, and just as importantly, when not to use that power.

In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Brussels that killed more than 30 people and injured nearly 300, we are reminded of why we need a strong commander-in-chief who will take action to defeat groups like ISIS and al-Qaida that continue to wage war against us, but who will stop the unnecessary regime-change wars that not only cost our country dearly in lives and American treasure, but actually end up undermining our national security and strengthening our enemy.

The failures of past U.S. interventions in Iraq and Libya that resulted in failed nations and the strengthening of groups like ISIS and al-Qaida have taught us how important it is that our commander-in-chief have a military mindset, objectively analyze a course of action, and have the foresight to consider both intended and unintended consequences.

I am confident that Bernie Sanders has the intelligence, foresight, military mindset and good judgment to make sound decisions when it comes to the most important question of war or peace.

Bernie Sanders voted against the Iraq war. He has made it clear that he will take the strong and coordinated action necessary to defeat the terrorist organizations that are waging war against us, but that he will not continue to waste our precious resources on interventionist wars of regime change and nation-building overseas.

He will instead use those resources to protect and rebuild our own country right here at home.

We have a clear choice when we go to caucus this Saturday, March 26.

Hillary Clinton has a consistent record that troubles me and so many others who have experienced the cost of war. Her support for the Iraq war, leading the military overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and pledging to continue to escalate the illegal, disastrous war to overthrow the Syrian government are red flags that should be carefully considered by every voter.

If we continue these same failed strategies, we will continue to see the same outcomes.

We owe it to our nation’s sons and daughters in uniform, their families and our country to elect a commander-in-chief who will keep America safe and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

I’m asking you to stand with me in support of the person I believe will utilize his experience, intelligence, military mindset and proven judgment to move our country in the right direction.

Please stand with me in supporting U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to be our next president and commander-in-chief.