I want to share something deeply personal — and to publicly thank a man I am honored to call my friend.

I am incredibly grateful to receive the official endorsement of Benny Affrunti. This endorsement was not born out of politics. It was forged through heartbreak, perseverance, and a shared belief that justice matters — even when it’s inconvenient.

Benny and I met back in 2024, when he reached out after learning I was serving as Chairman of Fighting4Freeport, working to bring accountability, integrity, and transparency back into local government and politics. He shared with me the story of Melissa Trumpy — a mother, a daughter, a friend — who has been missing for more than four years.

My heart broke.

Not only because of Melissa’s story, but because Benny told me something that should never be true in our communities: no one would help. Doors were closed. Calls went unanswered. Political leaders looked the other way. The people entrusted to protect the public chose silence instead.

So I did what I believe leadership demands.

I showed up.

I traveled to Wisconsin to sit down with Benny face to face — not because I had to, not because there was anything to gain politically, but because nobody else would. I had nothing to offer him or his children except my humanity, my compassion, and a promise to do everything I could to help push for truth, accountability, and closure.

From documenting Melissa’s case, filing FOIA requests, pressing higher authorities, and standing publicly with Benny, Melissa’s children, and their family — including protests in the very town where Melissa was last seen — I did not step away when it became uncomfortable. And I never will.

Benny and I share a sincere friendship — one neither of us would ever have wished to form through such tragedy. But it is built on mutual respect, compassion, and a shared determination to make sure no other family is forced to endure this kind of pain because of failed leadership or political corruption.

Justice should never depend on who you know.

Accountability should never be optional.

And leadership should never disappear when it’s needed most.

Benny, thank you for your trust. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for standing with me — not just as a supporter, but as a friend. Your words, your children, and Melissa remain with me every day as a reminder of why this fight matters.

And to the people of District 45, I make you this promise:

I will be the State Senator you deserve — one who shows up, who listens, and who puts you, the people over politics every single day.