Dear John,

Above all, I am filled with energy and hope. 

I was honored to join marches and rallies in Chesterfield, Powhatan, and Henrico and was inspired to see neighbors come together in Orange, Culpeper, and Nottoway Counties as well. Neighbors of all ages, races, and backgrounds are coming together to affirm that Black Lives Matter and advocate for justice with a new sense of urgency and understanding -- I have never seen anything like it before. 

What I see across the VA-07 community is people raising their voice in a shared determination for a better world. They want the promise of racial equality to become the reality in their communities. They want a world where Black lives not only matter, but where Black lives are full of freedom, justice, and opportunity. They vow that we will never lose another neighbor like George Floyd again. 

I am inspired by all of those who have come together to march, pray, learn, sing, and show solidarity. I am proud that these are lessons I can show my children. But most of all, in this moment I am full of energy and hope for long lasting change.

It will not be easy, but meaningful reform can, and must, be achieved –– as we’re reminded this week during the 53rd anniversary of Loving vs. Virginia, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized interracial marriage. 

Change isn’t easy, but as my father told me when I decided to run for office the first time: anything worth doing is hard work. I am proud to do the hard work for you and with you during this historic time.