We came into this year knowing that the stakes in our politics are as high as ever, with decisive battles under way over what it is like to live in America and what it means to be an American. But even so, few of us could have been prepared for how heavy the beginning of this year would be. The scenes from Minnesota have been shocking and tragic; they are hard to see, but demand that we not look away.

What’s been inspiring, even amid that pain, is seeing people from all walks of life – left, right, and center – come together to push for change, demand accountability, and insist that our public institutions live up to the values we hold as Americans. This season has been filled with reminders of why showing up truly matters. And that’s why, in this moment, I’ve focused on listening and engaging directly with people wherever the conversation is happening: by getting out of Washington, talking with folks about what’s weighing on their minds, learning from local leaders on the front lines, and engaging even when the room isn’t automatically comfortable or familiar.

For me, those conversations started in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in a district where the Congressional representative refuses to show up at all. I heard people speak honestly about rising costs, fragile freedoms, and the sense that Washington isn’t even listening, let alone delivering. What stayed with me, more than any single exchange, was the seriousness and good faith people brought into the room. That kind of conversation – direct, respectful, and grounded in everyday life – is what a better, healthier kind of politics can look like.

The same spirit prevailed at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where local leaders from across the country shared how they’re delivering results on housing, infrastructure, and public safety even when national politics feels stuck. The work of these mayors is a powerful reminder that progress so often happens closest to home, far from the national political drama – and that good leadership isn’t abstract, it’s direct and real.

Between those travels, I had a chance to spend time back in South Bend, a place that continues to ground me in my values and my understanding of what public service is about – people looking out for one another and the chance to make everyday life better. I filmed a short video reflecting on what South Bend means to me, and how it can be a model for what politics can and should be. You can click here to watch.

I also went on Fox News for another interview – my most unexpected speciality. I continue to believe that having tough conversations in these spaces is especially important in a moment like this. If we want a politics that actually delivers, we have to be willing to speak plainly and meet people where they are, even when the room isn’t automatically friendly.

All of this shaped another important step I took in January: releasing my first round of endorsements for the 2026 elections. I was proud to announce that I stand with Amy Klobuchar in Minnesota, Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Mary Peltola in Alaska, Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania, and Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania, Josh Fryday in California, and Eleni Kounlakis in California – leaders who understand that public service is about taking responsibility and delivering for people’s everyday lives.

Looking ahead to the rest of this year and beyond, I’m clear-eyed about the work ahead of us. The months to come will demand persistence, patient organizing, and a willingness to keep engaging, especially where it’s hard. In this work I remain deeply hopeful, bolstered by all the places I went this January and saw people ready to participate, ready to lead, and ready to build something better together. If we keep showing up with purpose and focus on everyday life, there’s no limit to what we can do.

Thanks for being part of this work.

Pete