Hello,

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the horrors we saw in the Capitol, how our democracy is still under attack to this day, and how we can work together to protect it.

I watched the mob march up the mall, chanting violent epithets in preparation to attack the seat of our democracy and all who worked there, including the cafeteria workers, police officers, and cleaning staff. I was in the House chamber when the shot was fired and the violent mob tried to break down the doors.

I will never forget the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of all who were there. I especially will never forget the eyes of one U.S. Capitol Police officer, standing above me in the chamber with his gun drawn. He was prepared to do the unthinkable to protect me and my colleagues, and I will always be thankful for their bravery and service. The loss of five of our officers as a result of that day will always be a stain on our history.

Later that night, after watching insurrectionists try to seize the Capitol, 147 of my Republican colleagues voted to overturn the will of the people and called the election of President Biden fraudulent. Many of those who voted to overturn the election were on the very same ballot as President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Now, aftershocks of this day continue to reverberate through our country. Trump-aligned state houses are working to subvert free and fair elections in the future by making it harder to vote, gerrymandering congressional districts to further marginalize voters of color, and taking away the independent role of state authorities to certify election results. They are trying to do through legislation, what the mob failed to do on January 6th.

There is an ongoing existential threat to our democracy. Make no mistake: our democracy is imperiled.

The right to vote and the peaceful transfer of power are core tenets of our nation’s democracy. The future depends on our fight to protect them.

But I still have hope because of folks like you.

In the year ahead, I am asking Vermonters to step up where they can — talk to your friends and family about the issues you care about, make sure you are registered to vote, get involved in your local elections, volunteer for people and causes that move you. Take care of each other, speak up when you see injustice, and challenge your elected officials, including me, to fight for what is right. These small steps help build the fabric of our communities and in turn strengthen our democracy.

This January 6th, tomorrow, is a day for all of us to recommit to doing everything we can to save and strengthen our democracy.

Six weeks ago, I announced my candidacy for the U.S. Senate. A major reason I did so was to do all I can to preserve and protect the democracy so essential to all of us. It is an all-hands-on-deck moment. All of us must play a role and do what we can, wherever we are, to restore faith in democracy and in one another.

We will succeed if we stand together.

Peter