Friends,

My parents started out as sharecroppers in South Carolina, but moved to Baltimore so their children could have a better life. They were able to find good jobs, work hard, and send all seven of their children to college. This city turned my parents’ dreams for us into reality.

I’ve been fighting for this community for as long as I can remember. When I was just eleven years old, I marched with friends to integrate a local swimming pool, where we were met with thrown bottles and rocks. I still have the scars. But we integrated that pool.

Now I go to Washington to fight for my neighbors. But at the end of the day I come back to the same city block I’ve lived on for 37 years. I keep a campaign sign in my window so my constituents know where to find me.

The people of Baltimore are tough. They work hard, care for their families and give back. That’s the community I’ve been fighting for my whole life. Rocks and bottles couldn’t stop me then and vile tweets from the president won’t stop me now.

Thank you so much for the support you have shown me this past week, and every day.

Together we will keep reaching for the light,

Elijah