We’re two weeks from Election Day, and though I rarely use this space to endorse candidates—I’ve been near politics long enough to not believe in politicians—I want to take a minute to tell you about @chenderson, who is running for @councilofdc and is a friend & inspiration to me

I’ll never forget when @chenderson called me to tell me she was thinking about running for DC city council and to ask me what I thought. It was August 8, 2019. Christina has a six-month old daughter at home and I was 22 weeks pregnant.

I encouraged her to run. I told her that she would be incredible at the job—both campaigning for the support of DC residents and fighting for them once elected. But she didn’t need my encouragement, and I could tell she already wanted to do it.

In that moment, I was so inspired by Christina, the risk she was willing to take as a new mom to put herself out there and that she was reaching for what she wanted, even as she was working full time in the Senate. In thinking about motherhood, I wanted to be a mom like her.

I didn’t realize at the time that on the long walk I was on while having this conversation, I also felt what was an early contraction and that I, personally, would spend back-to-back pregnancies thinking about how to be the best possible mom.

The whole time I’ve thought about @chenderson as a model. Since that August day, I’ve seen her work hard on the campaign trail, fight for what’s right in the Senate and raise a beautiful, loving daughter. DC needs someone who is as smart, dedicated and pragmatic as Christina is.

DC is a place that is increasingly out-of-reach for the average middle class family and especially for poorer residents. DC shouldn’t just be a city for lobbyists. It should be for everyone. @chenderson believes this and I know she will fight for it...

...because if she’s worked this hard to earn a seat on city council, imagine how hard she’ll work once she has it. If you live in DC, please consider voting for @chenderson for DC city council at-large. The @washingtonpost endorsed her, and less importantly, I do, too!