Originally published in the Deseret News.

I spoke with a friend who was in the room when Mia Love learned she had been elected to the U.S. Congress. I’m told her reaction was heartfelt and moving. History had just been made. She became the first black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. What’s more, she’s from Utah and a Mormon. Congresswoman-elect Love will attract a lot of attention in the months ahead. The spotlight will be bright and the margins of error slim. This open letter expresses my best thinking on how to make the most of this historic political moment.

Dear Mia,

Congratulations on your hard fought victory. As a woman and fellow Utahn, I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished and what you represent. I’m excited to see what the future holds.

I have to be honest though. When it comes to Congress, I approach the future with a lot of trepidation. Congress lost my trust several years ago. The partisan bickering hurts more than our economy and America’s reputation in the world. It impairs our confidence. As Americans we’ve lost our chutzpah. I blame paralysis in Washington, D.C., for this.

How can you help? Well, actually you can do a lot. Your status as a triple minority — race, gender and religion — will attract phenomenal attention. Use this attention well. Don’t squander it by being like everybody else in Congress. Be something different.

I’m a big fan of the productive middle. It’s the place in American politics where the best ideas from the right and the left come together. It’s where real problem-solving occurs. It’s where instead of drawing lines we build bridges. And when we do this America is at its best, drawing from the extraordinary diversity of this country to do noble things.

Central to this way of governing is an authentic humility. Neither party has a monopoly on good ideas. You have to keep an open mind and be willing to listen. You have to respect people with differing opinions and recognize that their life experiences have led them to different conclusions, every bit as worthy as yours. Try to learn from them, even as you pursue your priorities.

You can provide an important perspective on immigration reform. As a child of Haitian immigrants, you know the promise of this country. It is a hallmark of America that we share our abundant blessings. Yes, you should fight for improved border protection, but don’ stop there like many of your conservative colleagues. It’s more than that. We want people of goodwill who live in this country, contribute to our economy, obey the law and serve as our friends and neighbors to live and work here with dignity. You can help get this done.

Obamacare is another place where you can help diffuse the partisanship in the country. Don’t focus on repealing it for the umpteenth time. That’s political gamesmanship, and it’s hurting our country. Take a bolder path. Figure out the best parts of Obamacare, like eliminating pre-existing conditions, and make it stick. Then take the untenable parts, like the medical device tax, and fix it. You can improve the law without killing the law. Quit fighting, and make it better.

There’s an old saying in politics to avoid a lonely victory. That’s code for reaching out to your opposition. In your case, 49 percent of the electorate voted for somebody other than you. It’s your job to reach out to them, listen to them, learn from them and act for them. You can build a stronger coalition of support by staying away from partisanship and finding common ground. Be a different kind of politician.

Adlai Stevenson once said that patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the slow and steady dedication of a lifetime. I believe this. Patriotism is about being a doer, not a talker. It’s about public service, not self service. It’s about forging unity, not division. It’s about getting something done.

I’m grateful for your willingness to serve. You are a phenomenal talent. I believe in you. Please take this historic moment and do something truly great.