My seven-(and three quarters!)-year-old daughter, Siralina, joined me for a couple stops on the campaign trail yesterday, and having her by my side helped me see this campaign in a new light. Yes, we face daunting challenges and this is a dangerous moment for our country and the world, but there is also a joy in connecting with so many people and the opportunity to learn and grow each day is a true gift.

I smile because amid the chaos, dysfunction, and very real suffering all around us, wonderful things are happening every day. People are coming together to fight for a better world. They are praying, singing, marching, and speaking out.

This is how grassroots campaigns are won. One person and one conversation at a time. And while it’s definitely a lot harder than blowing two million bucks on paid posts on social media and television ads, it’s the only kind of campaign that can guarantee a voice for working people in Washington.

I came up to Wolfeboro this weekend to meet with some of my volunteer leaders in Carroll and Belknap County. We gathered in Wolfeboro in tribute to the grassroots effort here that resulted in a 56% voter turnout and a huge flip for the District 7 State Rep seat. We met with some of the organizers for Bobbi Boudman’s huge win and discussed takeaways for our campaign and successful political organizing in general. One of the clear lessons that I learned was the importance of offering voters a wide variety of opportunities to engage, not just during election season, but year-round.

Seabrook has a reputation for being one of the most Trump-friendly towns in NH. I can speak from experience having canvassed for state and federal candidates in Seabrook that it’s reputation is certainly well-deserved. That said, the current enthusiasm for Trump in the town belies the rich history of direct action and community-centered organizing that has defined the town for generations.

Why else do I stay? Because after the speeches are over and the questions are answered, there is that rare opportunity to affirm a common purpose and the determination to finally see the changes we’ve been awaiting for so long. When I stay, we can celebrate what we have accomplished together, and discern what we need to do next. This process can’t just be about winning votes—it has to be about something bigger than that. It has to be about building communities strong enough for the hard work ahead.

Earlier this year, I invited the community to join me for a social media-free February. A month of human connection and meaningful and messy conversations. 28 days to be together and see what happens when we’re not constantly curating a version of our lives for mass consumption.

Thank you to our volunteers and to everyone we’ve met on the campaign trail who, against the backdrop of U.S. imperialism, ICE terrorizing our communities, and the ongoing affordability crisis, continue to show up and believe that better is necessary and possible.

It’s officially election year and our campaign is ramping up with a clear call to action, showing up for one another, and leading with integrity; all of which this moment, and our country, call for. Here’s a recap of how we kicked off 2026:

Since launching this campaign, I’ve put 10,648 miles on my car. We’ve spent time in 40 of the 75 towns in New Hampshire’s First District and been welcomed into libraries, daycares, breweries, church basements, and living rooms. And all of the most meaningful moments of this campaign have happened offline with real people who want to be heard and to help make our country more fair, our politics less toxic, and our lives better.