As the final pages of 2025 turn, I sit with a deep sense of reflection—not with bitterness or regret, but with gratitude. This past year wasn’t perfect, and frankly, I wouldn’t want it to be. Perfection teaches little; adversity teaches everything. And 2025 gave me lessons, challenges, opportunities, and perspective in abundance. For that, I’m thankful.
There were days of triumph, when doors opened, opportunities emerged, and I felt the wind at my back pushing me forward with excitement. And there were other days—tougher ones—when the headlines were loud, the critics were louder, and the world felt heavy. But growth never happens on the mountaintop. It happens in the valleys, in the moments when we are forced to look inward, reassess, and rise again. I rose. I learned. I endured.
I am grateful for every handshake, every message of support, and every conversation with everyday Americans who reminded me why public service matters. People from Long Island, New York City, and across this nation told me their stories—stories of hardship, ambition, family, and faith. Many voiced their frustrations with government, but also their hope. Hope that leaders can change. Hope that the American spirit can never be broken. Hope that tomorrow can be brighter than today if we have the courage to believe in it.
In 2025, I felt that hope. I carried it. And in 2026, I will amplify it.
So my resolution is clear. I choose positivity. I choose growth. I choose the future. I walk into 2026 determined to become a better version of myself—not just for me, but for those who look to me as proof that reinvention is possible. America has always been a nation of second chances, redemption, and reinvention. From the factory worker starting over to the entrepreneur rebuilding a dream, why should any of us be defined solely by our past? We learn, we adapt, we evolve. That is the American way, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
In 2026, I will take on challenges with confidence and humility. I will speak boldly, act intentionally, and continue shaping a path that reflects resilience, accountability, and hope. I will honor the experiences that shaped me—both good and difficult—because they molded the person I am becoming. I move forward with gratitude for every supporter, every critic, and every twist and turn that brought me here.
This year, I aim for progress, not perfection. I aim to strengthen relationships, uplift communities, and engage with renewed purpose. I will celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and never shy away from the battles that matter.
Here’s to a 2026 filled with opportunity, clarity, and a future worth fighting for. With heart, gratitude, and unwavering optimism—Happy New Year, South Shore Press family.