Team,

As I do every Fourth of July, I’m thinking about what America means to me.

This year feels different than many years past.

I’m still grappling with the Supreme Court’s decision rolling back the right to choose. It feels like a time where independence and autonomy have been stripped away from the majority of Americans.

Our nation's founders aspired to build a more perfect union. In recent days we’ve seen it become far less perfect.

Despite the challenges we face during these turbulent times, I come to you today with unrelenting optimism that we can come together to take on the countless battles that lie ahead of us.

Now more than ever, we need governors who are battle-tested and ready to take on these fights. That’s why I’m running to become Maryland’s next governor.

I'm grateful for the country that welcomed my parents from the Dominican Republic, fleeing a brutal dictator, with open arms and allowed me to live my American dream.

America still has a long way to go to right past wrongs and ensure the American dream truly is accessible to everyone. And I’ve never been more committed to getting to work and bending the moral arc of the universe towards justice.

As we celebrate our independence, we also must recommit ourselves to fulfilling the American promise of justice and equality for all. I'm inspired to strive for a more equitable future for Maryland and our nation.

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday with friends and family,

Tom