06/13/2026
As I reflect on qualifying for a third term and doing so without an opponent, I find myself feeling incredibly grateful.
Running unopposed is not something I take for granted. To me, it is a testament to the work we have built together over the last four years. The work has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it.
When I first filed to run for this seat in 2022, I did it because I love this community.
I love the people who make this district what it is. I love the neighborhoods that helped raise my daughter. I love the places, spaces, and experiences that shaped my family. I love the neighbors who keep an eye on one another, lend a hand when it’s needed, and show up for each other when it matters most.
I wanted to serve this community the best way I knew how.
If I’m being honest, I worried about whether I would be good enough. Public service is an incredible honor, but running for office can also be difficult. People will say things about you, and you’re expected to let it roll off your back. Sometimes that’s easier said than done.
But this isn’t something I accomplished alone. It reflects the work of an entire team and the support of countless people who believed in me long before anyone else did.
I want to thank Madalyn and Steve. They have spent years organizing in Florida, and it shows. They understand our state’s political and cultural nuances, and they bring a steady hand to work that can sometimes feel anything but steady.
I want to thank Emma, who stepped up time and time again. She took initiative, solved problems, and represented our campaign with professionalism and heart. Any campaign, legislative office, or organization would be fortunate to have her.
I want to thank my office staff.
Eleanor guided me through my very first legislative session. Like every freshman legislator, I had a lot to learn, and without her I would have been completely lost. Although Eleanor was and will always be one of my closest friends, a trusted advisor, and someone whose wisdom I value deeply, she is also the person who got me through “freshman year.”
I also want to thank James, who has served as my legislative aide for the last three years. His work ethic is remarkable. He consistently goes above and beyond, not only for House District 44 but for people across our community. I honestly don’t know how he manages it all, but somehow he does.
And to Mikaela, thank you for jumping in with both feet. Though you’re new to the office, you’ve embraced every opportunity, taken initiative, and become an important part of our team in a very short amount of time.
The truth is that you cannot do this work alone. Whether it’s on a campaign or in a legislative office, the people around you matter. They help you get the work done, but just as importantly, they help keep you grounded in who you are and why you’re doing it.
Of course, I have to thank my family.
To John, thank you for the long days putting up signs and the even longer days listening when I need to talk things through. Thank you for sacrificing home-cooked dinners and the version of our life where I was home a lot more often.
Public service asks a lot of the families who support it. Through all of it, you’ve encouraged me because you know how much I care about this work and how much fulfillment I find in serving our community.
And to Anissa, my biggest cheerleader, thank you for always being in my corner. You inspire me every day. Your strength, kindness, and determination make me want to be better, and I am proud beyond words to be your mom.
As I enter my third term, I find myself amazed.
What began four years ago as a love letter to my community feels, in many ways, like my community writing one back.
Even though I won’t appear on a ballot this year, I don’t take that responsibility any less seriously. I will still be knocking doors. I will still be showing up in neighborhoods. I will still be listening, learning, and doing the work, because the work matters.
Before I close, I want to thank my grandmothers and my namesakes , Genevieve and Rita.
Both women shaped me in profound ways. Looking back, I’ve realized that sometimes we don’t fully understand someone’s impact until years later. They were strong women, each ahead of her time in her own unique way. They taught me lessons that continue to guide me today, simply through the lives they lived and the examples they set.
As I step into my third term, I carry them with me. I carry my family, my team, my supporters, and the people of House District 44 with me every step of the way.
Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for allowing me to do this work.
It is, and always will be, the honor of my lifetime.
