John,

Three years ago today, I had already packed my bags and returned home from my eight years in Congress. That day, I was in the State Senate chambers doing a dry run of my new duties as President of the Senate. The session started the following Monday.

Unbeknownst to those of us rehearsing the pomp and circumstance of the opening day ceremony, an unruly crowd next door to the state capitol had breached the security fence to the governor's residence.

And 3,000 miles away, in the nation's capitol, chaos reigned. Broken windows. A surging mob. Swastika banners despoiling the temple of American democracy. And tragically, lives lost.

In both cases, this explosion of anger was encouraged and sparked by those who simply refused to accept the results of the election.

The opening day ceremony in Olympia proceeded as scheduled, the nation's election results were certified, and President Biden was sworn in. But it was — and remains — a perilous, unnerving, and downright scary time.

It reminds me of something I deeply believe: While America is, in so many ways, exceptional, it is not inevitable. Every generation must renew its commitment to strengthen our democracy because it cannot run on autopilot. We must earn our democracy continually — not occasionally.

I am often asked how I think it is all going to turn out. Will it be okay? Are you optimistic?

I tell people: I am hopeful. I tell them we should remember the difference between hope and optimism. Hope is a sense that things can be made better through action while optimism is simply a belief that everything will be okay.

So there is work before us. I am honored to be engaged in it and proud to stand with you in it.

Yours in hope,

Denny