The race has changed in Carleigh Beriont’s favor
I supported Heath Howard in the First District Democratic primary.
On Aug. 24, he suspended his campaign and endorsed Carleigh Beriont. I’m joining him in supporting her.
Howard’s decision deserves attention because candidates spend months telling voters why they, personally, must win. Walking away when you still have supporters, volunteers and votes waiting for you is considerably harder.
Howard concluded that the politics behind his campaign would be better served by consolidation than by continuing his candidacy.
I respect him for it.
I also believe he made the right choice about where to consolidate.
Beriont has built a substantive campaign of her own. She supports Medicare for All, stronger labor rights, reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. She has taken serious positions on Palestinian human rights and restoring Congress’s constitutional authority over war.
This is ultimately about more than consolidation. Beriont offers an ambitious vision of what Democrats should actually use political power to accomplish.
And voters have increasingly given her a hearing. Saint Anselm College had Beriont at 3% in June. Its August poll put her at 12%, in third place.
Howard’s supporters are not a voting bloc for anyone to inherit. Each must decide for themselves.
I’ve made my own assessment.
I supported Howard because I wanted something more ambitious from our representatives in Congress. I still do.
That’s why I’m supporting Carleigh Beriont.