My friend Seth
This week hasn’t been an easy one for us at the Democratic National Committee, to say the least. We tragically lost our dear colleague Seth Rich. He was the DNC’s voter expansion data director, and he was shot and killed early Sunday morning. He was just 27 years old.
On behalf of the entire DNC at the end of this terrible week, I’d like to share some memories of our friend Seth.
I had known Seth for a few years. I first met him when I started working at the same place as him, a political polling firm. Then he left for the DNC, and I did the same. We always joked (well, somewhat joked) that his next career move would need to be a mutual decision because I’d have to follow him there.
Seth loved pandas, and he loved taking midday walks to Starbucks during work, and he loved spending time with his friends — and their pets. He loved the Huskers and the Packers. He loved Lou’s City Bar. He loved giving high fives and calling people “buddy” and “friend.” But most of all, he loved a lot, and he got a lot of love back in return.
Seth believed in democracy and America, and he earnestly worked toward making this country and this world a better place. These were his last words on Facebook, coming at the end of a tragic week for the United States:
His life was devastatingly cut short, but during his time here he was able to leave a positive mark on not just his friendships and relationships, but also on American politics.
On Wednesday evening, I attended a candlelit vigil for Seth held in his neighborhood. I was touched by the enormity of love present. I saw many familiar faces from the DNC, plus our past coworkers, and swaths of friends and neighbors and loved ones. There were lots of dogs too — he would have liked that. It was evident what we already knew: Seth’s beautiful soul had touched the lives of so very many people.
As many people mentioned on Wednesday, Seth was dedicated to ensuring every American had the right to vote. So please, in honor of Seth’s memory, register to vote and encourage others to do the same: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
Our hearts are heavy. But we’re working on picking up the pieces and carrying on the work that Seth believed in so deeply. He believed that, together, we can change the world for the better, and that’s exactly what we’re going to keep working toward in his honor.
May Seth’s memory be a blessing. And may we continue to cherish his life and the ideals he stood for.
