A Fighting Chance

Through so many of the fights for a better America, the unsung heroes have been the great nonprofits and grassroots organizations that have labored tirelessly. Despite thin budgets and stretched resources, they have aimed high. It has been my great privilege to work with many of these groups, and I am grateful for the work they do on behalf of all of us, to help create a better future. They create the infrastructure to help balance against the concentrated influence of the powerful and to give people a chance to fight for our values. I’m grateful to all of these hardworking groups, particularly the members of Americans for Financial Reform, an umbrella organization of more than two hundred groups that have put tremendous energy into making markets work for all of America’s families. And I have to say: I am also grateful to all those community banks, credit unions, and other lenders who want to do right by their customers and who have, in some important cases, embraced the push for real reform.

The Senate campaign was a true grassroots effort, from start to finish, and there are thousands of people who deserve deep thanks. So many people poured their time, their money, and their passion into the race that it gives me goose bumps. We had an incredibly strong volunteer army—people who made phone calls and knocked on doors, people who agreed to serve as our team leaders, people who entered data and held up signs, people who hosted house parties and helped us raise money. Every single day I think about the people who worked so hard so that I could be in the United States Senate, and I feel renewed, absolutely certain that we can work together and build a future where everyone gets a fighting chance.

And I will also be eternally grateful to our staff. Mindy Myers was a calm and thoughtful leader. Campaigns are chaotic, but under Mindy’s leadership, we were able to stay focused on our goals and keep our energy channeled toward what matters most. Roger Lau was also invaluable as political director. Roger is a person of deep integrity, a guy who always tells the truth and who never makes a promise that he doesn’t keep. Mindy and Roger brought muscle to our fight for hardworking families, and I relied repeatedly on their good judgment.

Under Mindy’s leadership, we assembled one of the best strategic teams in Democratic politics. Day in and day out, Mandy Grunwald, Marla Romash, and Adnaan Muslim helped me cut through the noise of the campaign and stay focused on the big picture—making the case for a progressive vision for our future. Doug Rubin and Tom Kiley offered me sharp insights and keen advice, based on years of experience about what it would take to unseat a popular incumbent and bring home a win. Kyle Sullivan gave valuable advice every day, often laced with the latest Red Sox news. Elizabeth Vale was tireless in making new friends all across the state, proving once again her enormous talents and generous heart.

We also had dozens of field organizers and community organizers who busted their tails recruiting volunteers, and they made a huge difference. I’m very grateful to all the efforts of Jacques Abatto, Melea Atkins, Sarah Badawi, Andrew Bettinelli, Gus Bickford, Norm Birenbaum, Nick Black, Brent Blackaby, Abby Blum, Michael Blumenthal, Jason Burrell, Frank Chi, Amanda Chuzi, Abby Clark, Alana Clark, Colleen Coffey, Amanda Coulombe, Ashley Coulombe, Matt Cournoyer, Patrick Dennis, Jon Donenberg, Julie Edwards, Marc Elias, Daphne Evans, Mike Firestone, Judy Flumenbaum, Adam Freudberg, Shaan Gajria, ML Ganley, AJ Goodman, Alethea Harney, Julia Hassett, Ben Herman, Kaaren Hinck, James Hutchison, Larry Huynh, Chrissi Johnson, Pete Jones, Louis Katz, Nora Keefe, Charlie Keller, Alexis Keslinke, Chris Lange, Paula Levine, Tracey Lewis, Keith Lowey, Lou Mandarini, Dave Mason, Diane Masters, Greg Maynard, Heather McAuliffe, Lauren Miller, Jeremiah Montgomery-Thompson, Colleen Murphey, Dan Murphy, Eric Nguyen, Jay O’Brien, Katherine O’Koniewski, Matt Patton, Lisa Paulson, Michael Pratt, Dan Rivera, Jamie Schell, Will Sealy, Rebecca Straley, Seth Tanner, Lynda Tocci, Pat Tomaino, Steve Tompkins, Jess Torres, Adam Travis, Morgan Warners, Andrew Wright, and Michelle Wu.

I also offer thanks to the many mayors, state legislators, and other public servants of Massachusetts, who spend their days fighting for our communities. Many of them spent time helping me understand the local economy, regional growth, and other community issues that were vital to connecting federal policies to what happens at home. Many also put their own time into my campaign, and I am grateful for their help and for all they do every day to make our state a better place.

In the epilogue of the book, I discuss some of my early work in the US Senate. Once again, I have had the good fortune of having an incredible team of smart policy wonks, strategic thinkers, and can-do people who fight every day to help level the playing field for working families. They work hard for the people of Massachusetts and for Americans everywhere. Once again, Mindy Myers deserves credit for putting together a fantastic team in Washington—starting with my terrific legislative director, Jon Donenberg—and Roger Lau has my enduring gratitude for the amazing group he has built here at home in Massachusetts. They make many things possible, and I am in their debt.