Concessions are essential to a free and democratic process. As Adlai E. Stevenson once said, “A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.”* By conceding, we honor the will of the people and uphold the integrity of our elections. With that in mind, I am conceding to Esther Charlestin, a dedicated mother and a true agent of change. She was the first person to sign my nomination petition and has been a consistently warm and generous opponent. Esther would make a great sailor. My deepest gratitude goes to my campaign supporters, loved ones, and everyone who stood by me throughout this campaign. Your confidence in our vision, even when it meant thinking beyond traditional party lines, reassures me that change is possible. I also want to thank the voters who embraced the idea of a fusion candidate, recognizing that when it comes to the climate and the restoration of our wilderness, partisanship must take a backseat. Our campaign was brief—under four months—and frugal, costing les