By Sen. Lydia Edwards
To all the candidates—especially in Winthrop—thank you.
It is never easy to run for office. It is, in fact, one of the scariest things a person can do. You put your name, your values, and your heart on the line for your community, and that takes courage.
By just running for office, you place yourself among a small percentage of the population. It’s great when you win, and devastating when you lose. I know!
I lost my first race in 2016. And when I did, the sun rose the next day. My bills were still due, and my friends and family were still my friends and family. Life not only continued — it got better. The people I met on doorsteps became lifelong friends. Some who didn’t vote for me in 2016 voted for me in 2021. And even Joe Boncore, who beat me in that first race, is now a close friend. In fact, I consider almost all of my former opponents friends and supporters.
What I learned after that loss is that being an elected official is one way to serve your community, but it is not the only way. If service is in your heart, continue to make change, one act of kindness at a time. Continue to be present. How you choose to bounce back and show up says a lot about who you are.
Races come and go. You will win some and you will lose some. But the community must move on together. Please don’t fear your neighbors or think ill of them because they voted differently from you. As I said to one woman who apologetically said she wasn’t going to support my candidate, “It’s a vote, not a marriage proposal!” We laughed and talked about her state-level concerns, and I moved on to the next door. Every door I knocked on, to a person, was friendly, offered me water, and appreciated the personal touch.
There are no “slates” in real life – only neighbors. There are good people who love their town and have to stick together, even when they may disagree.
So let’s stay focused: Continue to fight against climate change. Continue to fight for diversity, for safer roads, great schools, less traffic, union jobs, and more trees. Let’s continue to look after each other and support our food pantries.
We must move forward – together.
Because our community is worth it, and because we are strongest when we remember we are on the same side: Winthrop’s.
Congratulations to:
Jim Letterie
Kurt Millar
Kim Dimes
Joe Romano
Paul Reardon
Pat Costigan
Peter Gill
State Sen. Lydia Edwards represents the 1st Suffolk and
Middlesex District.