My Friend, Andrew

After the debate Wednesday night, I went to visit and debrief with one of my biggest supporters: my friend Andrew Champagne.

It was the most important part of my entire day.

I have known Andrew for nearly my whole career in public service. For all that time, he has been volunteering on campaigns, registering voters, knocking on doors, attending events, and just showing up for people.

You may have met him at a concert. You may have seen him registering students at UVM or cruising through Burlington on his bike.

He hasn’t been around as much lately because Andrew is facing his own serious health challenges. But when I saw him Wednesday night, Andrew was still completely and unmistakably Andrew.

He was talking with his nurse about local elections.

He wanted to make sure her voter registration was up to date. He wanted to make sure she had a plan to vote. And then, because registering someone has never been enough for Andrew, he asked what mattered most to her.

She told us how hard it has been for her and her fiancé to buy a home.

That is Andrew. Even while he is fighting his own battles, he is listening to somebody else. He is helping them find their voice and making sure they know how to use it.

Andrew has spent years doing that work. He is now only 45 voters away from registering 2,000 people.

When he reaches 2,000, we are going to have a very, very big party.

During our visit, Andrew asked me to take this picture. He also gave me very clear instructions about what I should tell all of you: the best way to support him is to get out and vote.

Andrew recently wrote a letter supporting my campaign for lieutenant governor. He wrote about the work we did together on the Burlington Board of Tax Appeals, my years working for Senator Peter Welch and in state government, my service on the Essex Junction and Burlington school boards, and even my years coaching lacrosse.

His letter means the world to me. But the part that moved me most was this:

“As someone who has registered hundreds of voters, I am proud to say that Ryan has never missed an opportunity to vote.”

Coming from Andrew, there may be no higher compliment.

Andrew understands that democracy is what happens when one person asks another whether they are registered. It happens when we listen to what our neighbors are going through. It happens when we make a plan, show up, and cast a ballot.

Voting is an expression of community. It is how we remind ourselves that our voices matter and that the future belongs to all of us.

Andrew has spent his life giving people that power.

He is the undisputed king of voter registration. He is-as he would say-my good brother. I love Andrew very much, and I know so many people across Vermont do too.

So let’s be good brothers, good sisters, good friends, and good neighbors to Andrew.

Vote early at your town clerk’s office, or make a plan to join us at the polls on August 11.

And Andrew, start planning that party. We have 45 more voters to go. And we’re gonna get them.

—Ryan