John, it's Rosa Lander reaching out to share some fun behind-the-scenes campaign moments. Take it from me, Dad Lander has been a joyful (some would call it goofy) public servant for as long as I can remember. And, I have to admit, a pretty hardworking one.

Some days, he's running around NYC digging out seniors' stoops after a record snow. Some days, he’s at 26 Federal Plaza, accompanying immigrant neighbors seeking asylum who are hoping not to be abducted or deported to Uganda (where they never lived). Some days, he's on stage with Mayor Mamdani, Bernie Sanders, or other progressive leaders. 

He’s usually up early working at our kitchen table (on mornings he doesn’t go to his boxing gym — yes, I still find that surprising, too, I know the campaign slogan is “fight, don’t fold,” but my dad is not winning sparring matches) and back there working after we go to bed, reading glasses all the way down his nose, buried in meetings or research.

Here's a behind-the-scenes photo of my dad looking equally gleeful and goofy as he submitted his FEC paperwork. ⬇️

Thankfully, often he’s just Dad. There’s always coffee waiting for me in the morning, and bagels & lox from Shelsky’s on the weekend. He’s eager to hear about my job (I’m an investigator at a public defender’s office). To argue some random New York City trivia (but let’s be clear: of the two of us, I’m the New York native). To try a new restaurant together (he loves that I’m willing to share meals with him so we can try more things). Or talk about a book we’re both reading (or that he’s haranguing me to read). 

His dad jokes haven’t gotten any better over the years. But once I figured out that my eye-rolling only encouraged him, I started just to say outrageous things back. That works … sometimes.

Seriously though, I'm proud of everything my Dad has done for New York (maybe don’t tell him that). And our whole family is ready for what the future holds when he heads to D.C. to continue his work. 

I'm also grateful that my Dad's campaign isn't taking money from lobbyists or PACs — like most people of my generation, I think the role money plays in our politics is pretty gross. But I also know that to win, he needs to raise money. So since he doesn't like asking for it (well, ok, more like: since he has already asked you like one million times), I will. 

I'm proud that my Dad is running a 100% people-powered campaign, even though it means he has to stay on track with End of Month Fundraising Goals. They told me to write that the campaign still needs to raise $19,218 more online before the End of Month Fundraising Deadline. Can you chip in to help my Dad get there and finish the first full month of his campaign strong?

Or just to help me win the next argument with him?

Thanks, 

Rosa