Dear Sharra, Monday morning, I was at Marianne's side as she signed up to be on the ballot in New Hampshire and officially entered the first-in-the-nation Presidential primary. As Marianne's New Hampshire State Director, this was an important day for me, and also somewhat of a homecoming. I stood where Marianne did, when I signed up to run for New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. It's a sobering moment. Standing behind the Secretary of State's desk, faced with the form and handed the pen, the significance sinks in. I think even Marianne was surprised by the crowd. The crush that instantly surrounded her—press on all sides, supporters en masse behind—made a deep, visible impact on our candidate as she crossed the threshold into the Secretary of State's chambers from the halls of the historic New Hampshire State House. Marianne handled it all like the President she will soon become—with grace, humor, and her usual quiet dignity. And even as she paused to review the photos of the United States Presidents on the Secretary's desk—men who had come before, stood where she stood, and then succeeded—she seemed very much at ease in their company. A sense of "I can do this too," "I belong in this group of esteemed leaders," "I may actually do it better than that one," emanated from our Marianne. Watching Marianne proudly, calmly, and assuredly proclaim, "We're gonna go with 'Love Will Win'" will be a moment that always sticks out for me—even as this campaign goes on to achieve higher highs and bigger wins. By the time of the press conference, I was hit with a surge of relief that my part—as envoy of the ballot form and requisite cashier's check—had been faithfully executed. I had experienced a moment of panic at our pre-gathering spot—Revelstoke Coffee on Concord's Main Street—when I thought I might have grabbed the wrong folder, only to realize the correct envelope was safely stowed in my travel backpack. Marianne never seemed nervous. As we grabbed a quick bite at the Barley House afterwards, I was struck by a profound sense of being on the right track. Yesterday was a moment so many of us had waited for, and worked for, and poured our hearts, souls, sweat and effort into. A thriving democracy will take all of us working together. Please join me on this campaign to continue our effort to co-create our America. 
With warm regards,
Hon. Paul Hodes
New Hampshire State Director and Senior Campaign Adviser
Marianne Williamson for President    | 
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