Thank You!

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank every candidate who decided to throw their hat into the ring and run for office this election cycle.

Running for public office is never easy, but this campaign season was, by far, one of the most hostile I have witnessed.

Rather than focusing on the qualifications candidates bring to the table, the skills and experiences they have to offer, the issues facing our city, and their ideas for addressing those challenges, far too much attention was diverted to personal attacks, cyberbullying, name-calling, gaslighting, and misinformation. Unfortunately, some of this behavior came from current and former elected officials, as well as individuals who use their media platforms to influence public opinion rather than encourage meaningful dialogue.

Our community deserves better. Our candidates deserve better. And our voters deserve better.

Throughout this campaign, I had the opportunity to work alongside candidates whom I consider intelligent, thoughtful, professional, and genuinely committed to serving Newport. These are individuals who understand that public service should be about collaboration, integrity, civility, and putting the needs of residents ahead of personal egos.

I respected their willingness to engage in difficult conversations without resorting to hostility, intimidation, or personal attacks. I appreciated their ability to listen, consider different perspectives, and approach issues with professionalism rather than aggression or passive-aggressive behavior.

What reinforced my respect for these candidates was meeting the people who surround and support them. The relationships they have built, the individuals they associate with, and the way they conduct themselves speak volumes about the kind of leadership they aspire to bring to our city.

Leadership isn't about who can be the loudest, the most aggressive, or who can tear someone else down. It's about who can bring people together, work through differences, and make thoughtful decisions in the best interests of the community.

As the Board of Elections continues tabulating ballots and we await the final results, I don't want another day to pass without acknowledging everyone who had the courage to step forward.

To every candidate who put themselves out there, shared their ideas, knocked on doors, attended forums, answered questions, and dedicated countless hours to this campaign: Thank you.

Regardless of the final outcome, you should be proud of your willingness to serve. It takes courage to put your name on a ballot, especially during a campaign season as difficult as this one.

My hope is that we can move forward with a renewed commitment to civility, professionalism, respect, and a focus on the issues that truly matter to the people of Newport.

Public service should always be about serving the community, not tearing one another down.

Thank you to everyone who stepped up. You have my respect and appreciation.