We work hard every day to keep our neighbors safe, hold the line on taxes, and make transformative investments in every neighborhood, and we’ve got more work ahead of us — regardless of who is in the White House.

Now it’s time to keep fighting for Albany and the Capital Region, despite the transition at the federal level and even though we are in the final 13 months of Mayor Sheehan’s administration.

It wasn’t easy, but I am so thankful of Calee for holding down our world with Dunkin as I ran away for this once-in-a-lifetime experience — and to those who kept Calee company while I was away. I also very appreciative of Mayor @KathyMSheehan for letting me even consider it.

And we helped elect a Democratic Gov, LG, AG, and other Dems. But, it clearly didn’t go our way at the top. We’ve got a lot to learn, and need to get out of our own way when it comes to the soul-searching, but I would 100% do it again in a heartbeat alongside our ultra-talented crew.

We organized events for tens of thousands of people in every corner of the state. We arranged for a plane or two to visit a Trump rally. We connected with neighborhoods that are often forgotten in NC politics. We met some of the nicest people in the country.

The days (and nights) were long. We traveled thousands of miles, zig-zagging across the Land of the Pines. We sent resources and hope to those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The obvious question from many, often with great trepidation: how was it? And after reflecting for several weeks, the answer I keep coming back to: it was — truly — a lot of fun.