Video: “What do we want?” Midterm Convention Speech

On Saturday, Carleigh asked who we are as Democrats and what we want to achieve for our state and country.

Good morning Chairman Buckley, Vice Chair Conrad, our federal delegation, delegates and friends.

I am Carleigh Beriont. I am a former union organizer, a teacher, the vice chair of the Hampton Select Board, the mom of two awesome little kids, and I’m married to my high school sweetheart, who is a public middle school teacher.

I think politicians should ask questions. So let me start with one.

Who are we? In this room? As a party?

I want us to know who we are, what we share, how we are connected, because politics is about people and I know a lot of people are feeling disconnected and desperate right now.

Show of hands: How many people are here for the first time? Welcome! Iʼm so glad you’re here.

How many of us belong to a union or come from a union family? You’re welcome—unions benefit everyone.

Who here is a federal worker?

How many of us went to public school or work in one?

Raise your hand if you have ever been a parent?

And, how many of us are furious, frustrated, or fearful about the present and future and want to feel hopeful?

Look around. You’re not alone. We are not alone. I see a room full of parents, union members, teachers, students, organizers, activists, new and old democrats. We are the ones who keep our communities going and there are millions of us who know that what is happening in our country is not right. We believe that our kids, our grandparents, our friends and neighbors—regardless of their party--deserve so much better than this.

For the past four months, I’ve traveled all around our district and asked hundreds of you two questions. 1) who got you involved in democratic politics and 2) what do you wish politicians understood better about your experiences?

And, I have heard your stories and hopes, your frustrations, your fears, and how exhausted you feel because you’re working 2 jobs, are struggling to take care of your aging parents, your kids or your kids’ kids. I know you have been protesting, fundraising, organizing and actively working to make our party, our communities, our state and our country better with little or no compensation, recognition or gratitude.

Thank you. For your coffee, your contributions, your courage, your kindness. For your honesty. For your trust.

I want to give you some certainty. Some guarantee that it will all be ok. But I wonʼt. What I will say is that change is constant. I donʼt know if tomorrow is going to be better or worse than today, but I do know that we will be there together.

I know that we don’t want our kids to have to learn how to hide from an active shooter before they learn to read. We don’t want to go broke to pay for childcare or long-term care for our parents. We don’t want the government to ban abortion. We don’t want our LGBTQ family and friends to be discriminated against. We don’t want ICE to snatch people up and make them disappear. We don’t want our hard earned tax payer dollars to pay for tax-breaks for the people in this country with more money than god and vouchers.

We do want healthcare for everyone, from birth until death. We want to be able to afford to raise our kids, take care of our parents, and retire. We want to be safe in our homes and have time to volunteer in our communities. To speak up and be heard—to feel like the protests, the picnics, the donations, and door knocking and postcard-writing makes a difference. To know that our leaders in Washington, in Concord, and in this room are listening and accountable to us.

Youʼve all been telling me you want a fighter. What I think we really need right now is a win.

How do we win? Embrace change. Because More of the same wonʼt fix this.

The more perfect union—the place where we want to live—isn’t going to make itself. But we know how to make it! We are parents, we are workers, we are students and teachers, we are organizers and activists.

Yes, many of us are worried and angry, and we are also relentless and organized. We are not giving up or going away. We are not afraid, and we are not alone because we are democrats and Americans.

I am not afraid because I am not alone. I am Carleigh Beriont and I am running for Congress. Thank you.