Hi, John —
First, I want to thank you.
Nothing that we’ve achieved on this campaign — neither here at home in Missouri or in the halls of Congress — would be possible without the support of people like you.
I never intended to be a politician. I’m a single-mother who knows what it’s like struggling just to get by, living paycheck-to-paycheck while working a job that doesn’t cover the bills. I’ve been unhoused, living out of a car with my two small children. And I know what it’s like to stand in line, waiting for a payday loan that you can’t afford. I know what it’s like to have your sense of safety taken from you by an inequitable system not designed with regular, everyday people in mind.
But, I’m here as a "politivist" — a politician and a Ferguson-forged activist. As someone who believes real community improvement happens within and outside of our formal political institutions.
But largely, it’s surreal because of how differently my team and I approach electoral politics. Whether it’s the refusal of corporate PAC money, or nights spent in a folding chair and sleeping bag on the Capitol steps — we’re unconventional because we lead with radical love. But on Election Day, we affirmed that this humanity-centered approach is resonating with people, and winning.
As we await the results in other pivotal races, I’m optimistic that we’ll have the coalition we need to make a positive impact on our most daunting problems, like gun violence, police brutality, and the climate crisis. John, we have the capacity to continue to change hearts and minds. Because around here, we do things differently.
It may not be easy, but progress is always worth the effort. I hope you’ll continue to stand with me in our road ahead toward racial, social, and economic justice.
Your Congresswoman loves you,
Cori
