Happy New Year!! I am so grateful for your support and partnership as Marcos and I enter a new season.


** IN THIS ISSUE
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Brief Update
Personal Next Steps
State House Final Newsletter ([link removed]) & Farewell Address ([link removed])
Year-End Policy Wins in Housing, Structural Racism, and Prison Reform
How To Help Retiring Campaign Debt ([link removed])
Answering Health Questions
New Contact Info


** It's so good to be back...
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Happy New Year! Marcos and I just returned from a long road trip where we were connecting with family and friends and checking in, after work, on our Oklahoma family with health challenges. It was tiring but so good. Starting New Year's Eve, we made our way back to Boston, with stops in Atlanta and DC. (pics below)
After nearly 6 weeks working remotely in Oklahoma and on the road, I am finally getting some rest! The year is off to a great start for House Elugardo. Below are a few brief summaries of what's new!

Read on! DONATE to help Marcos and me with campaign debt!
DONATE ([link removed])


** In Brief...
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This will be my last letter to my official campaign email list (at least until I run again)! Marcos and I are unpacking our new home - finally!!! It's been fun. My last day as a State Rep was January 4th. My House farewell speech is linked below.

My health has continued to be great. I am 18 months symptoms-free from the concussion. My unrelated glaucoma surgeries did leave mild permanent eye damage. My eyesight was saved, though, so net gain.

I'm blessed to be considering a number of possible job opportunities! My current top choices are in housing or government, one with the State, one leading on federal policy, and a couple leading on housing in Boston or nationally. We're still refining the specifics of offers and contracts.

Finally, Marcos and I could use your help wrapping up our campaign debt! Click here to donate or to learn where to send a check ([link removed]) .


** Personal Next Steps
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We are taking our time to make sure Marcos and I are happy with my job decision. We plan to run for office again in the future and want to choose next steps wisely, with each of our careers and callings in mind.


For now we're enjoying being new homeowners and setting up our first apartment. I'm excited about it! I also have tons of thank you notes I’ve been working through and more goodbye calls and letters. I enjoy those too. Mostly, I’m looking forward to writing more, enjoying loved ones, and being outdoors.


** Farewell to the House
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It’s strange how quickly a whole lifestyle can become a memory— almost overnight. In case you weren’t on my official State House email list, check out this link to my final State House newsletter ([link removed]) which has a few fun pics, some highlighted accomplishments, and a video link to my farewell address.

Read More ([link removed]) !


** Parting
Gifts (of the Policy Geeky kind)
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In my last months we got important work done! We passed key sections of our public housing expansion bill! See the final Economic Development Bill ([link removed]) that contained our language and many other victories!

I co-chaired a special legislative Commission on dismantling structural racism in Massachusetts prisons. I worked with Commissioners and with incarcerated leaders and correctional officers to produce legislation, research, findings, and recommendations for the report. Here's my personal copy of the Final Report ([link removed]) and Appendices ([link removed]) .


** My Health
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Many have asked about my health and particularly about my eyes, since I still wear sunglasses at odd times. This isn’t connected to concussion symptoms. In October 2020, I crashed my face at a high speed into the corner of a concrete ledge. I was goofing off while doing a kind of rigorous running and jumping exercise. I broke a bone in my face and shifted 8 teeth out of place, earning a bonus severe concussion. Don’t worry, I’m more cautious now! (Finally).

All that’s healed up, except for one tooth that’s still trying to figure out whether it’s going to fully heal or get replaced. I'm grateful to report I haven’t had any concussion symptoms since being discharged from physical therapy in July 2021. My cognitives have been better than before, because of all the exercises!

Thanks to the medical scrutiny my head and eyes received during my recovery, in early 2022 doctors discovered a rare form of glaucoma and other complications with my eyes that placed me in danger of imminent and total blindness. I had several surgeries on each eye. They were able to fix the severe problem. However, my eyes are sensitive to light. That’s why I wear sunglasses so often. It's unrelated to my concussion injury.


** Retiring Campaign Debt
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Marcos and I contributed over $25,000 in candidate loans to address post-election campaign expenses. If you’d like to help us put a dent in that, contribute here ([link removed]) .

Some have said you’d like to help, so we've extended our account through March 31st for online contributions. Checks made payable to CTE Nika Elugardo can also be mailed to 42 Etna Street in Brighton, MA 02135 all year. Amounts over our debt will go toward my next campaign in a future phase.


** Contact Info
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Life ahead is going to be a sweet adventure. I know this because life behind has been so blessed. I thank God for each of you and hope that you will keep in touch. Texting works well for me but you can also email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Dropping%20a%20Note%20to%20Nika) for professional inquiries or at my personal email otherwise. I check both semi-regularly. I’ll send out an announcement when I decide on a job and do a reunion party to celebrate beginning a new season!!

That’s all for now! I continue to be enormously grateful to you for your support on this journey across the long arc of justice! Please keep in touch and keep me posted on what’s going on with you. See you around.

Much love, your friend and neighbor,
Nika

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Copyright © 2023 Committee to Elect Nika Elugardo, All rights reserved.


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