Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to my chief of staff, Erin O'Quinn. Erin and I met just a week after I was elected to Congress. This was in November 2018. It was an overwhelming time. There was a lot to organize, and job number one was to find a chief of staff. Dr. Ami Bera suggested that I meet his deputy chief, Erin. We sat down to coffee and hit it off. I never looked back. I knew right away I could trust Erin to guide me through this whole new world of Washington, D.C., which was quite a contrast from the life of a community pediatrician. I still remember that first meeting when she asked me what I wanted The Seattle Times editorial board to say about me in 2020. It was a way to figure out my values and goals. Wouldn't you know it? Two years later, the comments made by The Seattle Times endorsement board were remarkably similar to what we set out to achieve. Erin understands the value of a strong team, remarkable constituent services, outreach, and townhalls. She made sure I was everywhere in the district and that we hired the best team members with hearts of gold and a dedication to service. With a background in social work, she kept our team in sync and collaborative, and several of our staff are still here today. I couldn't have done it without Erin. We could not have done it without Erin. I thank Erin and wish her all the best in the next chapter in her life. We will miss her. ____________________”