Having been in the hotel industry for many years, I’m a big admirer of the company Donald Trump has built. Over four decades he’s created an iconic brand that’s withstood the test of time, and developed some of the best hotel properties in America and around the world.

And as a candidate, his business record clearly stands out from the field. He has created more direct private sector jobs in our country than every other presidential candidate combined.

While I believe his entrepreneurial attitude and can-do spirit is desperately needed by our nation, I’m supporting Donald Trump for president not because he’s constructed the most extraordinary buildings, but because he’s shown the courage to stand with, and speak for, those Americans most forgotten by Washington and the political establishment.

In December, I met Jamiel Shaw, Sr. of Los Angeles. Mr. Shaw’s son was a 17-year-old star athlete gunned down by an illegal alien gang member outside his home. His story was forgotten until Donald Trump reminded our country of the high cost of illegal immigration. Mr. Trump is the only candidate to speak for and remember Jamiel Jr., Kate Steinle, and other American citizens who’ve paid a horrific price for open borders. Laura Wilkerson, whose 18-year-old son was killed by an illegal alien in 2010, testified before Congress last summer, thanking Mr. Trump for getting the message out about illegal immigration “in two minutes…that countless families like my own have been trying to say for five to six years.”

Here in Phoenix and across the country, we’ve learned about the atrocious conditions in our VA hospitals. Our veterans, who’ve sacrificed so much for this country, suffered for years as their grievances were swept aside by an uncaring government bureaucracy. At campaign events from coast to coast, Mr. Trump has consistently promised to take care of these heroes.

In addition, America’s middle class, the core of our nation, is struggling and shrinking. Families are living paycheck to paycheck while towns from coast-to-coast have felt the effects of poorly negotiated trade deals. In just the past few months we’ve heard of several major American companies shutting down operations and moving to Mexico or overseas. Mr. Trump is the one candidate unabashedly standing up and fighting to protect American jobs. He speaks emphatically about making our economy competitive by cutting taxes and regulations and negotiating smarter trade deals so we can bring jobs back home and make America the manufacturing engine of the world once again.

Leadership is not about taking trendy positions to curry favor with special interests or caving to the enforcers of political correctness such as those seeking to shut down free speech and the right to peaceful assembly in Chicago last week. It’s about standing up for our great nation. For too long, so many in our political class have been willing to take the easy route and go along with the crowd. Mr. Trump has chosen a different course; unpopular with the media and elites, but the correct path forward for our country.

America’s best days can still be ahead. But to get there, we need someone willing to fight for – and never forget –those Americans whose voices have been ignored for far too long. That candidate is Donald Trump.

–Phil Lovas represents District 22 in the Arizona House of Representatives.