Thread by @HMAesq

Tomorrow is Primary Day.

Before a big trial, I tend to take a few minutes to zoom out and think about my preparation, things I could have done differently, and larger lessons I can make part of my repertoire for the next trial.

Running for office has been one of the most intense, yet gratifying experiences of my life. It will take me a long time to unpack all the lessons, but I want to try.

First, thankfulness. To God. To my family, who've coped with this decision without complaint:

my wife Rabiah Ahmed who's given up so much during this campaign, burning midnight oil and somehow keeping my family happy even as she burned through phone calls and door numbers. My kids who've endured time away from their dad.

My law firm - Sharifa, Humza, Karen, Herbert, my interns - for firing me for the last 2 months and running my firm in my absence. My community, for believing in our message and entrusting me with countless hours of their valuable time, sweat, and energy.

My campaign staff - Monique, Ingela, Yusuf, and our team of volunteers, too many to tag. Elected officials. Donors who gave freely, openly and without hesitation. And I want to thank my opponents Suhas, Akshay, and Johanna - for their tenacity and their drive.

It has forced a healthy primary that strengthened a out campaigns for the benefit of the residents of Virginia's 87th district. Whatever happens tomorrow, the 87th is better off for us having gone toe to toe with each other, and that's a victory we all can relish.

Second, compassion. I've dedicated my professional career to fighting for people's right to achieve prosperity. At my firm, we've blended advocacy with lawyering, and have always led with compassion. So it was easy for me to think I understood people's struggles.

Especially having documented them and advocated for them against unforgiving government bureaucracies for 15 years.

It pales in comparison to the experience of knocking doors and listening to people's struggles.

I credit my training as an attorney for my ability to get people to open up, but once they do: wow. I have a whole new perspective on where compassion needs to be injected back into the law. We've become judgmental, punitive, and stoic.

Compassion makes things messy. It requires due process. But it's always worth it, because alleviating someone else's suffering is the highest ideal of humanity.

Compassion is strength.

Third, discomfort. The discomfort that comes out of leaving your comfort zone. I did a few naturalization hearings at USCIS a couple of weeks ago, and it felt like vacation. So calm and familiar, being in control, knowing what to do. The campaign trail was so - uncomfortable.

But what I've learned will make me a better lawyer, regardless of what happens tomorrow. I told myself that night at Dulles Airport that I'd have to do more, and I'd have to leave my comfort zone, and get used to discomfort.

Right now is the perfect time to recalibrate, refocus and remind myself of how and why that moment led to all of this.

Thank you, to anyone who's read this far, for your patience. I hope to earn your vote if you live in the 87th district of Virginia.

But I hope even more that you go and vote at all. Use your voice for someone who doesn't have one.

I don't fear losing - I only fear winning: I've asked for your time, your money, your attention, your ideas, your strength. I hope to be worthy of your trust.

#ShowUpVirginia