If you haven’t voted yet, polls open tomorrow Tuesday, November 4th, from 7am to 8pm.You can find your polling place at VoteSomerville.org.Every vote matters—especially in a local election like this one.

Well, this long first chapter is just about over. I don’t know what November 4th will bring, but I’m so thankful for everything that’s come before it. It’s been hard at times, and I’ve had moments of doubt and frustration. I made mistakes and learned from them. I leaned hard on my working-class upbringing—just putting my energy into the work—so that I could come to this day without wondering if I could have done more. Honestly, I’m exhausted, and I miss spending more time with my family, but this is what I signed up for. And I’m proud of what we’ve built together. I’ve met so many amazing people, and I’ve felt so much love and friendship.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped me get here: the volunteers who knocked on doors and helped me organize, the neighbors who hosted meet-and-greets, the friends and supporters who donated or simply cheered me on. And most of all, my wife, Liz, who has been my partner in every sense of the word from raising our two kids to managing the chaos of a campaign. She’s my inspiration to do better and live a life of giving.

I don’t have the time or energy tonight to write out the long (and inevitably awkward) amount of praise she deserves. She pours her heart into her work caring for patients and running an addiction medicine program that saves lives. A normal person wouldn’t have the energy for anything more—especially not in this political climate, where health centers are under tremendous pressure. But she’s been here supporting me all the way. I wouldn’t be here without her.

When I started this campaign back in the spring, I wanted to make sure the City Council had someone dedicated to doing the work of doing good. I also wanted my two girls to see what it looks like when someone puts in the work to serve their community. Later, once I found out how much people spend on these races, I also wanted to prove that you don’t need piles of money to run a viable campaign.

I feel like I’ve done all that, so this work has been a success. I ran because I love this city—because I want families, renters, and everyone else to be able to stay here. I want our kids to thrive in great public schools. I want small businesses and artists to keep the weird and beautiful spirit of Somerville glowing for us all to enjoy. I want to focus making this city work better for everyone.

This campaign has shown me that so many of us share that same hope. We want a city that’s safer, more affordable, and more just. We want a place where people look out for one another, and where government listens, learns, and delivers. A place with maybe fewer rats, fewer potholes, and maybe even a new park where you can take in a peaceful moment in this place we all love. I really hope I get to sit on the council so I can work hard day-by-day to bring pull that vision closer to reality.

Whatever happens on Tuesday, I’m proud of this campaign we’ve built together and I’m ready to keep working for the city we all believe in. I hope you’ll keep working with me.

Thank you. Sincerely and with all the blood pumping in my heart—thank you.