We did it, team. We won. I will be Vermont’s next United States Senator.

I’ve been in public service for most of my life. My motivation for staying in this fight has always been to give people a fair shot and right injustices. Whether it was organizing against racial housing discrimination in Chicago, defending low-income clients as a public defender in White River Junction, or fighting for Vermonters in the state senate and Congress — I always fought to give everyone an equal opportunity.

There’s more injustice in our society than ever. Constitutional rights are being taken away, working families are struggling to make ends meet, and our democracy is being threatened by lies. But going out into Vermont and meeting voters during this campaign has given me renewed hope. I know that when we care for our neighbors, we all stand to benefit.

I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the many, many people like you who supported this campaign. In ways big and small, you’re the reason I will be Vermont’s next United States Senator.

We all know that the work ahead of me won’t be easy: in many ways, the Senate is broken, and we don’t yet know who will control the chamber. But I know what I’ll fight for no matter who is in charge. I’ll fight to lower the cost of living, I’ll fight to protect reproductive rights, and I’ll fight to save our planet.

I’ll fight for you.

I also want to say thank you to Patrick Leahy. No one has served Vermont so faithfully, so decently, and so fiercely as Patrick for 48 years. He’s dedicated most of his life to advocating for Vermonters. Alongside Marcelle — and with a camera in hand — they made Vermont an even better place to live and visit.

Thank you all again. I hope we can all appreciate this victory and everything that has led us to this moment.

And then we’ll get back to work in January. Talk soon.

Peter