Forward with a Fresh Start
Thank you! Thank you! From my heart to yours, I am incredibly grateful for everybody who believed in me and who stepped up to be a volunteer, delegate, or contributor to build a better future for Ward 3 and Minneapolis, together.
The result of the DFL endorsement vote was not what we had hoped. But we can hold our heads high and be proud we showed up as our authentic selves. I shared in my remarks that I live with bipolar depression and PTSD. We are never alone. Three convention attendees told me later that afternoon that they too lived with bipolar, and an elected official opened up about living with clinical depression. We are never alone in this work.
While I am suspending my campaign and abiding by the DFL endorsement, it’s true at the same time that this endorsement process was not accessible for everyday people. Out of 32,000 residents, there were were 529 convention delegates and alternates selected as of a week ago. The final vote was out of 300, with nearly all alternates upgraded.
One person reached out to me this morning, Jason. His partner was working today and when his one-year-old got sick last night, he was unable to find last-minute childcare so he could attend. I am immensely in awe of the parents who showed up today like Linnea, David, and Anna. We need to make participating in the endorsement process as easy as voting in the general election. Full stop.
I am suspending my campaign today, but the work goes on. As a party leader, I will continue to reform our party to be more welcoming and inclusive to young people, parents, and other marginalized communities. That work starts again today.
As I have shared, my father passed away on March 25 at 71 and my grandmother April 20 at 96. They were enthusiastic supporters of me in my recovery and my endeavors, especially my run for City Council.
I know I made them proud today.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
