Two years ago, I was not standing here, in this beautiful community. I was on my way to Northern Iraq. I was facing a year of hardship and uncertainty made all the more difficult by the knowledge that my wonderful wife Tassy would be carrying our first child, Abigail, alone.

Over the course of that year, I saw some of the worst of what humanity can do and the worst of what humanity can be. And yet, thankfully, I returned home – to this place – Newton Massachusetts – where we see some of the best of what humanity can do and the best of what humanity can be. And today, I stand before you – with Tassy by my side, and 17 month old Abigail asleep in her crib – I stand before you, humbly, as the new leader of this remarkable community.

I look around this room right now and see people who helped make me the person I am today and the Mayor I can be over the next four years. From Dolly Wallace who saw me learn to ride my bike with my father Joe on Beaumont Ave., to Bob Svikhart, Jane Frantz, Barbara Darnell and Diane Sakakini, who I met just months ago and who have been knocking on doors and spreading the word about this campaign. I see my classmates from Bigelow Middle School, Newton North High School, and Boston College. I see colleagues from my work in Federal Government, and I see unrelenting activists who I had the pleasure to work with on committees and foundations here in Newton. I see friends, I see family, I see my city – the city of Newton.

There are so many to thank but first I want to recognize Representative Balser. There is no doubt that she has had a strong record of accomplishment as a legislator and alderman. She certainly deserves our respect and appreciation for her many years of service. And there is also no doubt that she loves this community and wants to see it thrive. I look forward to working with her for many years to come and know that Newton has a strong advocate and friend at the State House.

In particular I want to thank:

• my family, who have been such an incredible support to me;
• all of the elected officials, including the School Committee members, members of the Board of Alderman;
• community leaders and activists;
• College Dems of Mass;
• those that protect us and keep our city safe: Police and Firefighters;
• Those that keep our city functioning: capenters, Verizon workers, hotel workers;
• My fantastic campaign staff - led by Deb Shah.

The last few years have been a wake up call for everyone who cares about this community; who came to live here and stayed here because it is one of the best places on earth. We have seen important decisions get bogged down in process. We have seen the tone and tenor of our discourse become poisoned. And we have seen our physical infrastructure, our confidence in local government and our sense of community crumble.

And today, the people of Newton said THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

Over the course of this campaign, I have gone door to door, bringing my message of change and leadership to over 10,000 homes. (It must be over 11,000 – now). And as the TAB pointed out, I have brought together, for a common purpose, people who have spent years disagreeing with or avoiding each other. And I intend to govern as I have campaigned. Reaching out to residents, listening to their concerns, responding to their questions openly and honestly, asking them to work collaboratively to generate solutions to our problems and then making the critical decisions necessary to produce positive results.

This has been a hard fought campaign. But the real work begins tomorrow. We cannot celebrate tonight and then go back to business as usual. We cannot assume that one election will change everything over night. I will not let you say – we elected him – it’s his job to make what’s wrong right again. If this community, our community, is to live up to its full potential, we must all stay engaged. We must come together and work together to move Newton forward NOW.

I am ready to lead that effort. I thank you all for putting your trust and confidence in me. Now let’s enjoy the night – I will calling on each and every one of you starting tomorrow.