Vote for me (please)!

Below is the full text of the statement I provided to the Newburyport Daily News in response to their question:

Why should voters pick you to be the next Ward 4 councilor?

I raised my hand to run for City Council because I believe it's both a duty and a privilege to serve one's community. That's why I volunteered to serve on Newburyport's Human Rights Commission and why I've continued to serve on the Board of the Point Foundation for over 5 years. I believe in lifelong learning, and I've been following local issues since I first visited and fell in love with Newburyport seventeen years ago. This is where my husband was born and raised, and we chose to make our home here because we love the rich history and strong community. I want to be a part of preserving what makes Newburyport special while charting a path for a sustainable and successful future.

From my first job mowing lawns with my dad at 13, to working at the drive-through at Dairy Queen, to my 16-year career at global technology companies, I know the value of hard work and perseverance. Running strategy, operations, and HR as VP of People and Business Operations has given me a wealth of knowledge in terms of bringing teams together to make decisions that will serve me well as a City Councilor. Being openly gay in the workplace and advocating for diverse representation has prepared me to navigate entrenched positions diplomatically, with sensitivity to different views, all while keeping focused on the end goal.

At the end of the day, I'm just a citizen like you who's offering to serve as the representative of Ward 4 on the City Council because I know I can do this job, and I believe in making progress together in our city. A vote for me is a vote for investing in our kids, improving climate resilience, and creating more affordable housing. A vote for me is a vote for moving things forward.

To find out more on how to cast your ballot, check out the City of Newburyport website.