A Cardinal Light in the Political Landscape

It’s November, the general elections are over, and most of the country is exhausted from this year’s presidential campaigns. Whether you are happy or disappointed with the results, electing leaders is part of civic responsibility, which is a key way that the Catholic University community engages with our nation and world. 

This year, one of our alumni took his civic commitment a step further by deciding to run for the U.S. presidency. Meet Peter Sonski  (B.A. 2008; M.S.M. 2016), who ran on the American Solidarity Party (ASP) ticket. A non-traditional student who completed his studies after his nine children were grown, he sees the core principles of the University as key to his path of growth and where he is today.

“In my studies of business, I developed a fascination for philosophy,” said Sonski. “The most valuable aspect of my Catholic University education was the integration of faith and reason, and in a society marked by relativism, having objective truth as a stable and reliable guide is incomparably valuable.” 

How did he find his way to politics and on the presidential ticket for this election? 

As an elected official in local politics in the Hartford, Conn., area, and a member of both the Democratic and Republican parties at various times, he was “politically homeless” for many decades, seeking a party that aligned with his beliefs. In 2018, he discovered ASP.

“The entire platform has appeal … and it’s built on principles of Catholic social teaching,” Sonski said. “The first and most fundamental principle is respect for human dignity, upholding the Christian ethos that all humans have innate and inherent worth. The ASP holds to a ‘whole life’ or ‘consistent life’ ethic, meaning it seeks to protect and support human life at all its ages and stages… . Every element of public policy is directed toward the benefit of people, so stressing human dignity is a logical foundation.”

As the 2024 presidential elections approached, he felt called to run as the ASP candidate and help provide an option for Americans “to vote their conscience.”  In May 2023, party members selected him among five contenders in a primary process to be the American Solidarity Party’s 2024 nominee for President of the United States. He was invited to Catholic University’s campus by a student political group in September 2023 and likes to stay engaged with various initiatives and alumni activities of his alma mater. 

He sees the core life issues as critical ones that Catholics will have to fight for in the next few years. In addition, he emphasizes that Catholics will need to be vigilant about:

• Religious liberty protections
• Parental rights and the centrality of family in society
• Affordable housing
• Immigration politics
• International conflicts and the quest for peace

Sonski believes that faith should play a role in every facet of our lives and inform decisions we make both individually and as a society. “The political realm is no exception, as Catholic social teaching is ordered toward the common good … [in support of a] universal human flourishing.”

Sonski intends to continue to engage in public affairs in the next few years, writing and speaking on issues and offering support for those who want to pursue elected office, especially in third parties. He encourages everyone across the Cardinal community to take part in conversations on key issues.

Sonski says, “We each have a role to play in a republic, our form of government. Some are tasked with representing a constituency in making decisions for the common good. Everyone should at least sense an obligation to be informed and alert about issues in the public sphere. … Don’t be a spectator!”

NOTE: This story does not indicate an endorsement by The Catholic University of America of either this candidate or the American Solidarity Party.