Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The Road to Victory and the Power of Our Vote

Last night, I had the honor of attending the Essex County Road to Victory Dinner at Nanina’s in the Park as we continue our collective march toward Election Day on November 3rd. I’ve attended this event for nearly a decade, and this was my first time attending as a candidate. It was an evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and a renewed commitment to the work ahead.

The event brought together Democratic leaders, elected officials, community advocates, and supporters who understand that our democracy depends on the people who show up to protect it. Featured speakers included Governor Mikie Sherrill, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, and Senator Cory Booker. 

The evening also honored retiring Essex County Commissioners, including District 3 Commissioner Tyshammie Cooper, whose service has helped shape the path forward for our communities.

As a candidate seeking to serve Essex County’s District 3, I am especially mindful of the shoulders I stand on. I stand on the shoulders of women who are giants before me that formerly held this seat—women who challenged the status quo, broke barriers, and created opportunities for future generations to lead. Their courage reminds me that leadership is not simply about holding a title. It is about accepting responsibility, showing up for people, and leaving our communities better than we found them. I am grateful for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of those who have paved the way, and I recognize that the responsibility now rests with us to continue moving our communities forward.

As we approach Election Day, I believe we must have honest conversations about why voting matters and what is at stake when we choose not to participate. Democracy can sometimes feel distant from our everyday lives. We hear political speeches, see campaign advertisements, and watch debates on television. But the consequences of public policy are anything but distant. They show up in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our household budgets.

They show up when we pull into a gas station and wonder how much it will cost to fill our tanks. They show up when we walk into the grocery store and realize that feeding our families has become more expensive. They show up when families struggle to afford health insurance, when seniors worry about their medical expenses, and when proposed health care cuts threaten access to the care people depend on.

They show up when working families have to make difficult decisions about which bills to pay, when small businesses struggle to stay afloat, and when our communities are left waiting for investments in infrastructure, public safety, and economic opportunity. These are not abstract political issues. They are real concerns that affect our quality of life.

Our votes help determine who makes decisions about taxes, public spending, health care, economic development, transportation, education, and the services our communities rely on. Elections also determine who will advocate for our interests, question decisions that fail our residents, and fight to ensure that public resources are distributed fairly.

Not every issue is decided at the same level of government, and one election cannot solve every challenge. But every level of government matters, from our local communities to the county, state, and federal levels.

When we do not vote, we give up an opportunity to influence the decisions that affect us. When we vote, we exercise our power to demand accountability and help shape what comes next.

As I campaign throughout East Orange, Orange, South Orange, and the West Ward of Newark, I hear directly from residents about what matters most to them. People want safe neighborhoods. They want clean streets, economic opportunity, reliable infrastructure, and a government that listens. They want their tax dollars used responsibly. They want young people to have opportunities to succeed, seniors to be treated with dignity, and working families to feel that their government understands the pressures they face. These concerns deserve more than campaign promises. They deserve thoughtful leadership, meaningful oversight, and a commitment to delivering results.

Last night's Road to Victory Dinner was a reminder that progress does not happen in isolation. It is built by generations of people who organize, advocate, vote, and step forward to serve. It is built through people who take service seriously.

Advocacy requires action. 

It requires us to register voters, talk to our neighbors, encourage our friends and family to participate, and make sure that our voices are heard at the ballot box. It requires us to look beyond the headlines and understand how the people we elect influence the policies that shape our lives. Most importantly, it requires us to recognize that our democracy is strongest when everyone participates.

As we move closer to Election Day, I am asking every eligible voter in Essex County's District 3 to make a plan to vote, and VOTE LINE B.

Do not assume that one vote cannot make a difference. Do not allow frustration with politics to convince you that your participation is meaningless. If anything, the challenges facing our families and communities make participation even more important. We may not agree on every issue, but we should all agree that our voices deserve to be heard and that our communities deserve leaders who are accountable to the people.

On November 3rd, let us show up for our families, our neighborhoods, and our future. Let us carry the torch forward—together.