What it feels like winning

On election night, when victory became certain, I hugged my sister Gwen and told her: “I had forgotten what it felt like to win.” This win feels like no other I’ve experienced: coming after two painful defeats, going up against a legend and a giant, given an overwhelming margin despite being handicapped by a clear disadvantage in resources. It feels great. It feels humbling. It comes with a not inconsiderable feeling of trepidation.

It is impossible to thank everyone in this short note but I wish to thank my mayors, partymates in the 3rd district—some of whom made it and some of whom did not—for putting up brave, clean and unrelenting battles that helped me considerably in my own. I wish to thank friends who gave so generously of themselves, their time and resources to give this ex-almost-has-been a shot at winning. I wish to thank my team for the hard work, sometimes putting my needs above theirs and to the young and talented people at FatBoys Production for helping me navigate this new battleground called social media.

I wish to thank my family, especially my Daddy, my late mother (I know what you did, Mommy), my sister Gwendolyn Garcia, all my brothers and sisters for having been a constant source of support, material and moral. I thank Karen for putting up with me the past year, for never making me feel guilty about missing family time and for being the best all-around personal assistant, cheerleader and chef.

To all of you who cheered, campaigned, made calls, picked fights, put in a good word, prayed, on my account: thank you.

I thank the people of the 3rd district for welcoming me back, for the trust and for the friendship. I will work hard to deserve this deep and awesome honor.

And I begin working—not on June 30—but today.