Dear friends and neighbors,

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln described the United States as a country “whose leading object is to elevate the condition of mankind—to lift artificial weights from all shoulders—to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all.” Today as we celebrate 242 years of this evolving, imperfect, exceptional American experiment, I am reflecting on those words.

Our Democracy begs for our participation, our vigilance, our dissent, and for our compassion. Running for office has given me a unique vantage point into the issues that both unite and challenge us. I continue to be inspired and encouraged by people I meet who are driven by one thing: To do good for others with integrity and and kindness.

I'm running to stand with everyone working to defend the rights of all people to live in freedom, justice, and equality. Whether that's through political activism, through faith groups, through community organizations, or just by being a good neighbor, I meet them every day. And that's where we see the beacons of inspiration in our democracy, the light from that shining city that still stands, the modern revolutionaries still holding the lamp beside the golden door.

Happy Independence Day to this nation of revolutionaries, and may we never forget what we stand for.

All the best,
Meg

July 4, 2018