Thank you, Gaithersburg!

Source: City of Gaithersburg

Friends,

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve the people of our great city as a member of City Council! It was a highly competitive race, with five outstanding public servants vying to represent the people of Gaithersburg on the council. The drama played out into the wee hours of the night, with the unofficial results being published around 3 o'clock this morning.

I first want to congratulate Mayor Jud Ashman and Lisa Henderson for their victories as well. I am honored and humbled at the chance to work with you both, and I can't wait to get started!

I also want to thank Dave Belgard, Phil Cook, and Yamil Hernández for their outstanding, positive campaigns. I got to know all three candidates and their families throughout the course of the campaign, and I am proud to call each of them my friend. Having lost my first race four years ago, I know all too well disappointment of not seeing your name called. But I have no doubt all three will continue their work to improving the lives of those who live, work, and play in our great city.

Finally, I want to thank all of my incredible supporters: my family, my friends—both old and new—and my fellow citizens who wanted to bring a new voice to the City Council. Your voices were heard loud and clear, and I look forward to bringing that fresh perspective to our municipal government. I particularly want to thank everyone who helped out in the rain on Election Day. You went above and beyond!

Of course, none of this happens without the love and support of my amazing bride of 21 years, Amy, who put up with all the ins and out of the campaign, including me being out all weekends long knocking doors amid the chaos of a kitchen remodel, and even a candidate forum the night of our wedding anniversary! I love you, and I can't thank you enough.

My first official act will be to be sworn in at a virtual meeting of the Mayor and Council on November 15 at 7:30 p.m. I will share a link on my Facebook page.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believe in me, and believing in our message.

Now, as Mayor Ashman likes to say, "Let's do great things, Gaithersburg!"

Yours,

Jim