I had no idea

My daughter tells me people don’t really do Throwback Thursday anymore, but humor me.

This is me when I was around Violette’s age. I had no idea what my future career held:

• 20 years on Navy combatant ships

• Overseeing eight nuclear reactors

• Starting a small business in Hampton Roads

• Two terms in Congress

• A seat on the January 6th Committee, defending the Constitution after our Capitol was attacked

Now I’m running in America’s most competitive race to win it back and retake control of the House.

VA-02 has flipped twice in the last four years. Both times, the House flipped with it.

Democrats need to pick up three seats in November. This is the most flippable seat on the map, and the entire GOP party machine knows it.

That’s why MAGA has already piled $8 million into this district.

Time isn’t on our side. Election Day is 19 days away, and early voting is already underway. What we raise now pays for the final push: reaching voters and getting them to the polls, which could make all the difference in a race this close.

The young woman in that photo didn’t know much yet. But she knew that you finish what you start. I’m ready to finish this one. I just can’t do it alone.

Will you chip in $15 today to help me flip Toss-Up VA-02 and the House with it?

—Elaine