Thank You

I know this is not how we hoped this would turn out, but I am deeply humbled and honored by the movement we built in this campaign. I remain in awe of the time, support, and dedication each of you exhibited. Without this community of volunteers, loved ones, supporters, staff, friends, family, donors, and neighbors, none of this would have been possible.

We spent 18 months listening to Charlestonians. We connected with thousands of voters and attended dozens of meet-and-greets, community events, and meetings with small business owners.

Passionate supporters like you contributed your hard earned money and completed hundreds of hours volunteering.

We called out inaction on accessing millions of dollars in federal funding for city infrastructure. We put forth a shared vision and tangible ideas to expand resources and services for women and minority owned businesses, and to add LGBTQ+ as a small business category. We stood firm in our belief that women deserve access to their own healthcare. We laid out clear approaches to solving current and future problems regarding housing, climate change, education, and other disparities. We highlighted these issues and more because you saw them as your guiding principles.

All of this was in service of a shared vision for a city that is affordable, accessible, and livable for residents first.

The change we seek — for our families, our communities, and our future generations — is possible. While that change may not come with me as Mayor, I am a member of this beloved community, and this is still home. I remain focused and committed to leaving no neighborhood, community, or resident behind.

I’m not done yet. I will continue to be a new brick in an old foundation, and I hope you will too.

Keep the faith, Charleston. The best is yet to come.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!