Thank you.

2/6/18

Eight months ago, I announced my campaign for the State Senate because I wanted to do my part in helping to improve the quality of life for every resident in our community. Because of your support, we’ve started new conversations, explored innovative solutions, and inspired people to engage passionately—some for the first time—with the political process. To all of my supporters and volunteers, I thank you for your dedication and generosity. I could not have asked for a more incredible group of people to have by my side. All of this only intensifies the difficulty with which I make this announcement today.

Last Wednesday, the Franklin County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted to endorse one of my primary opponents, Representative Hearcel Craig. Our County Party has the resources and ability to reach its message beyond the resources of any one campaign. Their decision to endorse in an open seat has severely limited our chances at a victory in May. To that end, I am choosing to suspend my campaign and instead will be standing with the Franklin County Democratic Party in endorsing Hearcel Craig for this seat. Representative Craig is an outstanding public servant who has worked tirelessly both for the constituents he represents and for our party, and I know he will continue that record in the Ohio Senate.

This was not a decision I made lightly, because I entered this race to win. I believe our party has room to expand its voice and our campaign aided those conversations by engaging new voices. However, we must do more as a party to create pathways to ensure there’s a place for more voices in our party, even when we don’t always agree.

I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support I have received in this race and could not have made it to this point without every donation, door knock, and word of encouragement you all provided me with. My passion for advocacy doesn’t end with this campaign; instead, I will double down on the important work we’re doing at the Kirwan Institute with a focus on creating better outcomes for our youth of color and working to combat legislation that hurts minority communities.

This will not be the end of my career in public service, and I will work to earn your support in future efforts just as I hope I did in this campaign. In the meantime, I invite you to join me as we advocate for more opportunities for our children and families, reinvestment in our neighborhoods, and job creation. I will work hard in 2018 to elect Democrats who share that vision and I hope you will, too.

Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart.