About Us
Reshma Saujani
I’m so proud of what we built together. I’m so proud of the race we ran. I’m so proud of the energy and optimism that you’ve shown every single day. I’m so proud that the people on this campaign stood up for what they believed in, and got involved, and made a difference. I’m so proud of the communities we helped to energize and activate, because everyone deserves to be heard, especially those New Yorkers who have been overlooked for too long.
I’m proud, and I’m also grateful beyond words, because we did what you’re not supposed to do when it comes to politics in this city and this state. You’re not supposed to run against the establishment. You’re not supposed to stick to your beliefs, even if it costs you votes. You’re not supposed to take unpopular positions, even if they’re the right positions to take. You’re not supposed to reach out to constituencies that ordinarily don’t vote.
We started this campaign a year ago in a living room with a small group of friends and supporters. We didn’t have any money. We didn’t have any institutional support. In fact, a lot of people tried to keep us out of this race.
But we built an amazing campaign, despite the odds. And we could not have done it without you. Thank you for dedicating countless hours to our efforts. We were the first challenger to get on the ballot in 18 years. We received thousands of contributions from people all across New York City. We activated communities that are too often overlooked by our political leaders. We received endorsements from the Daily News, the New York Observer, and the two largest Bangladeshi newspapers in the country. And we sent a message to young people and disenfranchised voters and disillusioned New Yorkers that together, we can fix what’s broken in our politics and in our communities.
It won’t be easy, but this campaign was just the beginning.
We live in a difficult American moment. The economy is struggling. The future is uncertain. The political process we were so hopeful about in 2008 has let us down. But I believe we are bigger than this moment. I believe we are stronger than our challenges. I believe we are capable of extraordinary things if we work together.
When we started this campaign, I truly believed it wasn’t about this election. It was about the ideas and the leadership that New York and Washington desperately need. Yesterday was the end of the first chapter of that campaign. But today, the effort to renew the promise of our city continues. And I can’t wait to get to started.