Video: Because it is right.

Carleigh spoke to a packed crowd in North Hampton about what politics is, who it is for, and what we can do in this moment to shape the future.

I want to start tonight by saying thank you to Donna McKay and all the people who brought us together in this room tonight. It is a joy to be here with all of you. Thank you to the organizers!

I know for some of you, this is coming at the end of a long day, or week, or decade. And if you’re carrying that all with you tonight, you’re not alone.

I think politics at its best is not about talking at people, but about listening to the people who are in the room—about getting a sense for who is in the room and who is not, and for what we share so that we can build power and enact change.

Show of hands—who here is at a Democratic committee event for the first time? Welcome, I am so glad you are here!

Who here grew up in a union household or is part of a union family?

Who here went to a public school or works in a public school?

Who here has ever been a parent?

And, who here is frustrated, furious, and terrified about what’s been going on in our country?

Who is looking to feel hopeful and keeps showing up even when things look really dark because you believe, deep down, that we can make things better?

I see a room of people who share so much in common, and knowing that and recognizing that in one another is a huge source of power for us.

I am Carleigh Beriont. I am a former union organizer. I unionized my workplace with the UAW, created local 5118. I’m the vice-chair of the Hampton Select Board.

I’m a little anxious because I just came from setting the tax rate. Yes, and I’m shaking because it was a hard decision. I know how hard people are struggling, and I know how our reassessment last year hurt a lot of us and a lot of the people we care about.

I am married to a public middle school teacher, and I’m the mom of two awesome little kids.

I’ve spent the past four months going up and down this district and asking people what they wish Washington understood about their lives.

People are exhausted. They are furious. They are growing cynical. They want to see Democrats who fight. Democrats who understand how hard it is to care for your kids and your elderly parents. They want to see people who understand what it’s like to worry that your kids aren’t going to be able to afford to buy a house or raise a family in the same community where your parents set down their roots.

I hear from so many people who are concerned that our public school funding seems to be going over to this voucher program.

I hear from people that are worried that it’s really hard to teach your kids to grow up to be kind to one another when so many of the people in charge of our country are not.

And I tell them, you are not alone.

I’m introducing myself to you tonight, and I’m asking you to believe in me. And more than that, I’m asking you to believe in us. I’m asking you to believe in the parents, the teachers, the organizers, the volunteers, the people who build our communities and who have continued to keep them strong.

We don’t do it for the money. We don’t do it for the glory. We do it because it is right.

I’ll finish up by saying, as I mentioned earlier, I’m a history teacher, and I want you to leave here knowing that history isn’t something that happens to us. The laws are written by people, and we are going to write the future.

Thank you.