11/04/2025
Tonight, I keep coming back to one porch conversation I will never forget. An older man who lived in VB his whole life leaned against his doorframe, looked me straight in the eyes, and said: "Democrats are mentally ill." I asked him, "Is that your clinical diagnosis?" He stepped onto the porch and engaged with me for 40 minutes. He fired every Republican talking point he could at me. I didn't didge a single question. We got to know each other and by the end, he told me I earned his vote. He even wanted to know if he could help my campaign.
That moment has stayed in my head and in my heart since that September afternoon. It reminds me why we do this — with sleeves rolled up, eyes wide open, and yes… the occasional well-earned eye roll. Because democracy doesn’t need polish and couture — it needs courage and honesty.
However the final count lands — whether we win outright or fight through extra innings — we built something real here. We showed what happens when neighbors talk to neighbors and remind each other what community feels like.
I am deeply grateful.
To every volunteer, every door-knocker, every porch-listener, every “you keep going, I’ve got you” message — thank you.
To Melissa Lukeson and Joe Johnson — thank you for walking through fire with me, organizing, laughing, planning, pivoting, and believing in this vision for Virginia Beach.
To Swing Blue Alliance, COVA Coaltion, and every organization that rallied its volunteers for this odd little race in the 99th — thank you for pouring your time, your energy, your postcards, your calls, and your faith into this district. You raised the tide here. We feel it.
But listen — tomorrow isn’t reflection day.
Tomorrow is action day.
Tomorrow is Election Day!
We do not let this campaign lose steam at the finish line.
We take this love, this grit, this community, and we turn it into votes.
Call your people.
Text your neighbors.
Offer a ride.
Show up early and stay loud.
Do. The. Thing.
🗳️ Polls open 6 AM – 7 PM
📍 Find your polling place: https://voter.virginiabeach.gov/
We don’t hand the future away. We walk into it. Together.
Tonight, we rest knowing we built something honorable and human.
Tomorrow, we win — not by shouting, not by threatening, not by tearing down — but by showing up for each other like we always have.
See you at the polls.
