A few weeks ago I had the chance to be back in Fairfax County, where I was raised, to run in a 5k race with my daughter. The race is part of Girls On the Run, a character building and self esteem program for girls in the 3^rd through 5^th grades. (girlsontherunofnova.org) As coach for my daughter’s team, I help teach how setting good goals and working hard pays off.

There were over 6000 people running in the race at Fair Oaks Mall, but because I’ve been campaigning and traveling with Brian’s campaign so much, I haven’t had much time to train and exercise myself – at least not nearly as much as I should have to run a 5k! And so while the girls were doing great, I was ill prepared for the race and I can tell you it was the longest 3.1 miles I have ever run.  However, I committed to our daughter that I would run this race with her and we did it.  In fact we crossed the finish line holding hands.  And it occurred to me as we ran that last half mile and the people were cheering and we were crossing that finish line together, holding hands, that our daughter embodies her father’s vision and ideals for this Commonwealth.  You see, it would have been easy for her to run ahead and leave me behind, but she didn’t… she helped me get across, too.  And Brian will not leave anyone behind either.  He won’t leave the 200,000 children who don’t have health care behind, or the families who have no dental care behind or the families who are struggling in this very difficult economy. He will not leave these people behind because he is the one who has been fighting for them all of them the past twenty years. I added 10 minutes to her race time because I was slower….she ran next to me the entire time. But we both got there.  Brian has been running with the hardworking families in our Commonwealth for 20 years, leading the way on the environment, education, and putting people back to work.

I know you have a choice in candidates on June 9^th, but please know that we ask for your vote and are humbled by your support. Let’s get to the finish line on June 9^th together, so that all Virginians can share opportunity and make VA a better place to work, live and raise a family. 

Please join the race and volunteer today!